Power tool extension handle apparatus and method of use

ABSTRACT

A power tool extension handle apparatus for temporarily securing an extension handle on a power tool having a neck, the apparatus including a handle receiver with a receiver threaded hole formed therein, the handle receiver being installed on the power tool for selective receipt of the extension handle, thereby enabling increased reach with the power tool through engagement of the extension handle with the handle receiver.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation-in-part application and so claims the benefitpursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 120 of a prior filed and co-pending U.S.Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 15/609,816 filed May 31,2017, and entitled “Power Tool Extension Handle Apparatus and Method ofUse,” and further claims priority pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to andis entitled to the filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationSer. No. 62/612,941 filed Jan. 2, 2018, and entitled “Power ToolExtension Handle Apparatus and Method of Use.” The contents of theaforementioned applications are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

The subject of this patent application relates generally to tools, andmore particularly to extension handles configured for selectivelyengaging power tools.

The following description includes information that may be useful inunderstanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any ofthe information provided herein is prior art or relevant to thepresently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically orimplicitly referenced is prior art.

Applicant(s) hereby incorporate herein by reference any and all patentsand published patent applications cited or referred to in thisapplication, to the same extent as if each individual publication orpatent application were specifically and individually indicated to beincorporated by reference. Where a definition or use of a term in anincorporated reference is inconsistent with or contrary to thedefinition of that term provided herein, the definition of that termprovided herein applies and the definition of that term in the referencedoes not apply.

By way of background, in interior and exterior construction projectsrelated to both new and renovated residential and commercial buildingsit is often the case that power tools must be used on surfaces that arerelatively hard to reach. Vertical surfaces such as walls and horizontaloverhead surfaces such as ceilings may be beyond the reach of thetypical person when standing comfortably on the ground or floor, whichof course is generally the safest and most stable position for a worker.Instead, to access an overhead work area, a worker may need to use aladder, stilts, scaffolding, a scissor lift, or other such equipmentthat may add cost, inconvenience, and risk to the job. Even lowhorizontal surfaces such as floors may at times be hard or at leastuncomfortable to reach and work on, such as requiring a worker to be onhis or her knees or in a stooped posture for extended periods of time.Thus, it is desirable to provide a means by which a power tool such as apalm or orbital sander may be effectively employed in conjunction with adifficult to reach surface while allowing the worker to remain generallyupright and standing on the ground or floor.

As proposed in the art, some sander handles are provided to addressvibrational concerns. An example is U.S. Pat. No. 6,558,235 to Berg etal., which discloses an ergonomic sander handle for clamping onto asanding device so that the ergonomic handle can be comfortably grippedby a worker and used to apply the sanding device to a surface. Theergonomic handle includes an elongate body, a clamp head and a bearing.The elongate body is typically a cylindrical aluminum tube with paddingfor easy and comfortable gripping. One end of the elongate body isattached to the clamp head that attaches to the sanding device. Theother end of the elongate body is attached to the bearing which mayinclude a pair of roller balls. To sand a surface, the worker grips theelongate body in a power grip (without significant wrist flexion ordeviation) and applies pressure to urge the sanding device and thebearing onto the surface. The power grip minimizes loads on the wristand hand which reduces the likelihood of musculoskeletal trauma.

A further example of a sander extension handle attachment relates to theability to adjust the speed control of the sander from the extensionhandle, as disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Pub. No. US2004/0147209to Bickford et al., directed to an extension device for palm sanders,consisting of a rigid extension, on which is mounted a housing. Thesander fits into a recess in the housing and is held in place by a pairof clamps, mounted on the housing. The housing contains a remotelyoperated lever, which controls the speed of the sander, by depressingthe sander's own speed control. This lever is linked to another lever,which is located at the end of the extension opposite the housing. Thisconfiguration then allows the operator to control the sander's functionwhile also extending his reach. The device allows the operator to safelysand large objects or structures that would otherwise require extensiveuse of ladders and scaffolds, thus preventing undue hazards to theworker. The sander is at any time detachable and requires no alterationin order to attach it to the device.

Still further examples relate to sander extension handles that providefor exhausting dust from the sander through the handle pole itself. U.S.Patent Application Pub. No. US2003/0096565 to Dotta discloses a handlefor an orbital sander (10) of the type having a dust extractor (17)containing an exhaust outlet (18), the handle having: a first part inthe form of an elongate tubular member (19) having two open ends, oneend being attachable to the exhaust outlet (18) to attach the handle tothe sander and to allow dust to pass through the first tubular member,the other end being attachable to a dust discharge hose (22), a secondpart which is extendable over the top of the sander, attachment means(28) to allow the handle (33) to be attached to a pole, and guide means(34) extending from a portion of the handle spaced from the sander, theguide means being adapted to contact the surface to be sanded andfunctioning to hold the handle (33) relative to the surface such that,when attached to the sander, the sander is in working alignment with thesurface. Relatedly, U.S. Patent Application Pub. No. US2006/0073777 toDotta et al. discloses an assembly attachable to an orbital sander ofthe type having a dust extractor containing an exhaust outlet, theassembly comprising mounting means to allow an extension pole to beattached to the assembly, the extension pole being substantially hollowand defining an internal exhaust passageway, and a conduit extendingfrom the extension pole and operatively associated with the exhaustoutlet of the orbital sander such that exhaust from the orbital sanderpasses through the conduit and through the internal exhaust passagewayin the extension pole.

And a still further example relates to the ability to attach multipleorbital or palm sanders to a single extension handle as disclosed inU.S. Pat. No. 9,333,615 to Johnson, directed to an apparatus formounting one or two handheld type orbital sanders thereto so as topermit a user to sand a floor surface from a standing position whilemoving the mounted sander(s) to and fro by way of a broom handleextending from the apparatus. Typically, the apparatus includes onefixed mount and one movable mount. Each mount is configured tofacilitate attachment to an orbital sander. The movable mount can beplaced and secured in one of two positions: a first position thatcenters a single sander in line with the handle; and a second positionwherein the fixed mount is located to one side of the handle and themovable mount is secured essentially an equal distance on the other sideof the handle.

A variety of further designs that involve incorporation of handles intosanders and other power tools are also known. For example, U.S. Pat. No.5,074,081 to Beth et al. discloses a sander with removable auxiliaryhandle for facilitating sanding in corners, U.S. Pat. No. 6,669,543 toPrice et al. is directed to a power tool such as a sander havinginterchangeable handle grips, and U.S. Patent Application Pub. No.US2008/0085664 to Weiford et al. discloses a sander with a pivotallycoupled head assembly on the handle assembly.

What has been needed and heretofore unavailable is an ergonomic,relatively easy to use and inexpensive, and substantially universalpower tool extension handle apparatus configured to accommodate multiplevarieties of power tools, and orbital or palm sanders, specifically, inmultiple positions relative to the handle and/or multiple angles of thehandle relative to the tool, or the like incorporated into a power toolsuch as a sander.

Aspects of the present invention fulfill these needs and provide furtherrelated advantages as described in the following summary.

SUMMARY

Aspects of the present invention teach certain benefits in constructionand use which give rise to the exemplary advantages described below.

The present invention solves the problems described above by providing apower tool extension handle apparatus for selectively engaging andextending the reach of power tools. In at least one embodiment, theapparatus comprises a clamp assembly comprising a clamp body having afirst leg and an offset second leg, the first leg having a first pivotand a first retainer and the second leg having a second retainer, theclamp body further having a handle receiver, and a strap assemblycomprising a strap body having a pivot end and an opposite retainer end,the strap assembly further comprising a pivot buckle secured on thepivot end of the strap body and pivotally engaged with the first pivotfor selective engagement with the first retainer and a retainer clip atthe retainer end of the strap body for selective engagement with thesecond retainer so as to secure the strap assembly on the clamp assemblyand thereby mount the apparatus on the power tool.

In a further embodiment, the handle receiver and/or the handle mount isconfigured for pivotal engagement with the clamp body of the clampassembly of the apparatus so as to allow for selective angularorientation of the extension handle relative to the clamp assembly andthus the power tool.

In a still further embodiment, any such handle receiver and/or handlemount is integrated with the power tool.

Other objects, features, and advantages of aspects of the presentinvention will become more apparent from the following detaileddescription, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, whichillustrate, by way of example, the principles of aspects of theinvention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings illustrate aspects of the present invention.In such drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary power tool extension handleapparatus, in accordance with at least one embodiment;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view thereof, in accordance with atleast one embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a front view thereof, in accordance with at least oneembodiment;

FIG. 4 is a back view thereof, in accordance with at least oneembodiment;

FIG. 5 is a left side view thereof, in accordance with at least oneembodiment;

FIG. 6 is a right side view thereof, in accordance with at least oneembodiment;

FIG. 7 is a top view thereof, in accordance with at least oneembodiment;

FIG. 8 is a bottom view thereof, in accordance with at least oneembodiment;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view thereof as in use with a palm sander and anextension handle, in accordance with at least one embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a reduced scale further perspective view thereof as in usewith a palm sander and an extension handle, in accordance with at leastone embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an alternative exemplary power toolextension handle apparatus, in accordance with at least one embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a reduced scale perspective view thereof as in use with apalm sander and an extension handle, in accordance with at least oneembodiment;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a further alternative exemplary powertool extension handle apparatus, in accordance with at least oneembodiment;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a still further alternative exemplarypower tool extension handle apparatus, in accordance with at least oneembodiment;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view thereof as in use with a palm sander, inaccordance with at least one embodiment;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a still further alternative exemplarypower tool extension handle apparatus as in use with a palm sander andan extension handle in a first operational mode, in accordance with atleast one embodiment;

FIG. 17 is a partial perspective view thereof as in use with a palmsander and an extension handle in a second operational mode, inaccordance with at least one embodiment;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a still further alternative exemplarypower tool extension handle apparatus as in use with a palm sander andan extension handle in a first operational mode, in accordance with atleast one embodiment;

FIG. 19 is a partial perspective view thereof as in use with a palmsander and an extension handle in a second operational mode, inaccordance with at least one embodiment;

FIG. 20 is a partial perspective view thereof as in use with a palmsander and an extension handle in a third operational mode, inaccordance with at least one embodiment;

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a still further alternative exemplarypower tool extension handle apparatus integrated with a palm sander andin use with an extension handle in a first operational mode, inaccordance with at least one embodiment;

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a still further alternative exemplarypower tool extension handle apparatus integrated with a palm sander andin use with an extension handle in a first operational mode, inaccordance with at least one embodiment;

FIG. 23 is a perspective view thereof as integrated with a palm sanderand in use with an extension handle in a second operational mode, inaccordance with at least one embodiment;

FIG. 24 is an exploded perspective view thereof, in accordance with atleast one embodiment;

FIG. 25 is a perspective view of a still further alternative exemplarypower tool extension handle apparatus integrated with a palm sander andin use with an extension handle in a first operational mode, inaccordance with at least one embodiment;

FIG. 26 is an exploded perspective view thereof, in accordance with atleast one embodiment;

FIG. 27A is a cross-sectional view thereof taken along line 27A-27A inFIG. 25, in accordance with at least one embodiment;

FIG. 27B is an exploded cross-sectional view thereof, in accordance withat least one embodiment;

FIG. 28 is a perspective view of a still further alternative exemplarypower tool extension handle apparatus integrated with a palm sander andin use with an extension handle in a first operational mode, inaccordance with at least one embodiment;

FIG. 29 is a perspective view of a still further alternative exemplarypower tool extension handle apparatus integrated with a palm sander andin use with an extension handle in a first operational mode, inaccordance with at least one embodiment;

FIG. 30 is an exploded perspective view thereof, in accordance with atleast one embodiment;

FIG. 31 is a perspective view of a still further alternative exemplarypower tool extension handle apparatus integrated with a palm sander andin use with an extension handle in a first operational mode, inaccordance with at least one embodiment; and

FIG. 32 is a perspective view of a still further alternative exemplarypower tool extension handle apparatus integrated with a palm sander andin use with an extension handle in a first operational mode, inaccordance with at least one embodiment.

The above described drawing figures illustrate aspects of the inventionin at least one of its exemplary embodiments, which are further definedin detail in the following description. Features, elements, and aspectsof the invention that are referenced by the same numerals in differentfigures represent the same, equivalent, or similar features, elements,or aspects, in accordance with one or more embodiments. More generally,those skilled in the art will appreciate that the drawings are schematicin nature and are not to be taken literally or to scale in terms ofmaterial configurations, sizes, thicknesses, and other attributes of anapparatus according to aspects of the present invention and itscomponents or features unless specifically set forth herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following discussion provides many exemplary embodiments of theinventive subject matter. Although each embodiment represents a singlecombination of inventive elements, the inventive subject matter isconsidered to include all possible combinations of the disclosedelements. Thus, if one embodiment comprises elements A, B, and C, and asecond embodiment comprises elements B and D, then the inventive subjectmatter is also considered to include other remaining combinations of A,B, C, or D, even if not explicitly disclosed.

While the inventive subject matter is susceptible of variousmodifications and alternative embodiments, certain illustratedembodiments thereof are shown in the drawings and will be describedbelow in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is nointention to limit the invention to any specific form disclosed, but onthe contrary, the inventive subject matter is to cover allmodifications, alternative embodiments, and equivalents falling withinthe scope of the claims.

Turning now to FIGS. 1 and 2, there are shown perspective views of anexemplary embodiment of a power tool extension handle apparatus 20according to aspects of the present invention. The apparatus 20comprises, in the exemplary embodiment, a clamp assembly 30 configuredfor engagement about at least a portion of a power tool P (FIG. 9) andfor removable acceptance of a broom-style extension handle E (FIG. 9) soas to extend the reach of the power tool P during use. While theexemplary power tool context shown and described is a palm sander, itwill be appreciated that other sanders and other power and hand toolsmore generally may be employed in conjunction with an extension handleapparatus 20 according to aspects of the present invention withoutdeparting from its spirit and scope, such that use with a palm sander isto be understood as merely illustrative and non-limiting. The clampassembly 30 generally comprises a clamp body 32 having offset first andsecond legs 42, 52 extending therefrom, together defining a relativelycurved inner surface 34 here fashioned to substantially conformspecifically to the neck N area of the palm sander power tool P (FIG.9), though again appreciating that other tools and thus other geometriesand configurations of the clamp assembly 30 may be employed according toaspects of the present invention. While the legs 42, 52 are shown asbeing fixed to and integral with the clamp body 32, it will beappreciated that such components may be separately formed and assembledtogether, for example, as by mounting the legs 42, 52 on the clamp body32 so as to pivot or articulate relative thereto, thereby furtheraccommodating a range of power tools and sizes. Also here formedintegrally with the clamp body 32 is a handle receiver 62 for selectivereceipt of an extension handle E (FIG. 9). In the first exemplaryembodiment, the handle receiver 62 is specifically shown as havingformed therein a single, central receiver threaded hole 64 forthreadable receipt of a conventional broom handle-style extension handleE, though those skilled in the art will appreciate that other engagementmeans now known or later developed, including but not limited to press-or interference-fit, locking, snap, clip or clamp, and bayonet-typeengagements, may be employed. As will be appreciated with reference tothe alternative exemplary embodiments discussed further below inconnection with FIGS. 11-20, other handle-mounting arrangements nowknown or later developed are possible, including but not limited to theincorporation of multiple receiver threaded holes 64, one or morereceiver legs 66, one or more receiver pivots 68, a receiver ball 67 andrelated receiver socket 71, one or more handle mount pins 150, an offsethandle mount slot 152 and bolt 154, and/or a custom extension handle 130and handle mount 142, a number of such alternative embodiments providingfor not only alternative means of selectively engaging the extensionhandle E, 130 with the clamp body 32 but also enabling selectivepivoting of the handle E, 130 relative to the clamp body 32 in one ormore directions. In still further alternative embodiments as shown anddescribed further below in connection with FIGS. 21-32, such varioushandle-mounting arrangements may instead be incorporated or integrateddirectly into the power tool P. Moreover, while a conventionalbroom-style handle E is shown and described here in connection with theexemplary embodiment and the alternative custom extension handle 130 isalso shown as being substantially annular and straight, it will beappreciated that a wide variety of other handles, now known or laterdeveloped, may be employed in connection with any such apparatus 20 andany related mounting means, including curved or angled handles andtelescoping handles. Further, the handle receiver 62, like the legs 42,52, though here shown as formed integrally with the clamp body 32, mayalso be a separate component mounted or engaged with the clamp body 32,as will be appreciated from the further exemplary embodiments shown anddescribed further below in connection with FIGS. 13-15 and 18-20, or maybe incorporated or integrated with the power tool P, directly orindirectly, as shown and described even further below in connection withFIGS. 21-32.

With continued reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, in the exemplary embodiment,a strap assembly 80 is provided to secure the clamp assembly 30 on thepower tool P, generally comprising a strap body 82 having a pivot end 83and an opposite retainer end 84, with a pivot buckle 92 removably andslidably engaged on the strap body 82 substantially at the pivot end 83.The pivot buckle 92 is here shown as comprising opposite or offset firstand second buckle walls 94, 98 interconnected by one or more buckleslats 102. In the exemplary embodiment, the pivot buckle 92 has threebuckle slats 102 and thus has two gaps or buckle slots 103 therebetween.Those skilled in the art will thus appreciate that in securing the strapbody 82 within the pivot buckle 92 at a desired position, the pivot end83 of the strap body 82 may be threaded through the pivot buckle 92 asby passing through one buckle slot 103, around one or more buckle slats102, and back through one or both buckle slots 103. Those skilled in theart will appreciate that the particular configuration of the pivotbuckle 92 and the engagement therewith of the strap body 82 is merelyillustrative and non-limiting and that a variety of other arrangementsnow known or later developed may be employed according to aspects of thepresent invention without departing from its spirit and scope. By way offurther illustration and not limitation, in an alternative embodiment(not shown), the strap assembly 80, and the strap body 82 specifically,may be integral with the clamp body 32 of the clamp assembly 30 at oneor both ends and so not require a pivot buckle 92 or the like forengagement of the strap assembly 80 with the clamp assembly 30.Relatedly regarding the exemplary embodiment, and with continuedreference particularly to the exploded perspective view of FIG. 2, thefirst and second buckle walls 94, 98 of the pivot buckle 92 may beformed with substantially offset and aligned respective first and secondbuckle wall pivot holes 95, 99 and respective first and second bucklewall retainer holes 96, 100. The first and second buckle wall pivotholes 95, 99 cooperate with a first pivot 44 formed on the first leg 42of the clamp body 32 of the clamp assembly 30 to pivotally mount thepivot buckle 92 and thus the strap assembly 80 on the clamp assembly 30.In the exemplary embodiment, a pivot bolt 46 passes through the firstbuckle wall pivot hole 95, then through a clamp pivot hole 45 formed inthe first leg 42 of the clamp body 32, and next through the oppositesecond buckle wall pivot hole 99 and is there secured through engagementof a screw 47 at its opposite end, thus forming the first pivot 44 andenabling the pivot buckle 92 to pivot thereabout. Once more, it will beappreciated by those skilled in the art that a variety of otherassemblies or means for pivotally attaching or forming the pivot buckle92 or other such structure on the clamp body 32, whether now known orlater developed, may be employed according to aspects of the presentinvention, such that the exemplary embodiment is to be understood asillustrative and non-limiting. Similarly, the first and second bucklewall retainer holes 96, 100 cooperate with a first retainer 49 formed onthe first leg 42 of the clamp body 32 of the clamp assembly 30 toselectively secure or retain the pivot buckle 92 substantially adjacentto the clamp body 32 and thus the strap assembly 80 in a relativelyshortened or tightened position on the clamp assembly 30. In theexemplary embodiment, the first retainer 49 is defined by at least onespring-bearing 50 formed on the first leg 42 of the clamp body 32 so asto protrude outwardly therefrom for selective engagement with one ormore of the first and second buckle wall retainer holes 96, 100. As bestseen in FIG. 4, opposing spring-bearings 50 are formed on opposite sidesof the clamp body 32 so as to define the first retainer 49 for selectiveengagement with the respective first and second buckle wall retainerholes 96, 100 of the pivot buckle 92 when it is pivoted inwardly towardthe clamp body 32 about the first pivot 44. Again, those skilled in theart will appreciate that a variety of other arrangements for pivotingand securing the pivot buckle 92 of the strap assembly 80 relative tothe clamp body 32 of the clamp assembly 30 are possible according toaspects of the present invention without departing from its spirit andscope, as will be further appreciated in connection with the alternativeexemplary embodiment of the power tool extension handle apparatus 20shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 and 16 and 17 as described further below, aswell as alternative clamp arrangements such as shown by way ofillustration in FIGS. 14 and 15. It will be appreciated by those skilledin the art that in tightening down the strap assembly 80 relative to theclamp assembly 30 it is necessary for the retainer end 84 of the strapbody 82, or the end opposite the pivot end 83 and thus the pivot buckle92, to be somehow secured on or to the clamp body 32 as well. In theexemplary embodiment, a retainer clip 112 is formed or affixed at thestrap retainer end 84 and configured to selectively and removably engagea second retainer 59 formed on the second leg 52 of the clamp body 32.More specifically, the retainer clip 112 is configured as a frame 114secured on the strap body 82 as by looping its retainer end 84 throughand about the frame 114 and securing it back onto itself as throughstitching 86, leaving particularly one end or edge in the form of distalretainer member 116 exposed and free to engage the second retainer 59here formed as an outwardly-protruding retainer flange 60. It will beappreciated that in use the retainer clip 112 may simply be engaged withthe second retainer 59 as by clipping the distal retainer member 116 ofthe retainer clip 112 behind the retainer flange 60, such that as thestrap assembly 80 is then tightened as by adjusting the pivot end 83 ofthe strap body 82 relative to the pivot buckle 92 and then pivoting thepivot buckle 92 about the first pivot 44 and securing it against oradjacent to the first leg 42 of the clamp body 32 through engagementwith the first retainer 49, the power tool extension handle apparatus 20may thus be removably secured about a power tool P (FIG. 9) or the likeas by clamping such power tool P between the clamp assembly 30 and thestrap assembly 80. Alternatively, one or more transverse slits or otherholes (not shown) or the like may be formed in the retainer end 84 ofthe strap body 82 for selective engagement with the second retainer 59formed on the clamp body 32, rather than affixing the separate retainerclip 112 to the strap body 82 as in the exemplary embodiment shown anddescribed. It will be appreciated, whether or not the clamp body 32 andthe legs 42, 52 thereof are adjustable, that the incorporation of aflexible strap body 82 within an overall strap assembly 80 that isadjustable as to length and tension as herein described yields asubstantially universal power tool extension handle apparatus 20according to aspects of the present invention for accommodation of avariety of power tools and the like. To this end, and by way ofillustration and not limitation, the strap body 82 in such anarrangement with a tightening or cinching mechanism such as theexemplary pivot buckle 92 may be formed of any flexible, substantiallynon-elastic material now known or later developed, including but notlimited to nylon, polyester, polypropylene, or any blends thereof. Theclamp body 32, pivot buckle 92, and retainer clip 112 may be formed ofany suitable material and by any suitable process now known or laterdeveloped, including but not limited to metals such as steel, aluminum,alloys, and the like and a variety of plastics such as polypropylene,polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride (“PVC”), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene(“ABS”), polyethylenes such as high density polyethylene (“HDPE”) andlow density polyethylene (“LDPE”), polycarbonate, polyurethane, andother such plastics, thermoplastics, thermosetting polymers, and thelike, any of which being formed as by machining, molding, casting,extruding, stamping, etc. In an exemplary alternative arrangementwherein the strap assembly 80, and strap body 82 specifically, isinstead formed with its pivot or first end 83 integral with the firstleg 42 of the clamp body 32 (not shown), it will be appreciated thatsuch a strap body 82 may be formed of a flexible and somewhat elasticmaterial such as stretchable fabric or rubber so as to provide selectiveadjustment and tension of the strap assembly 80 by selectively varyingthe temporary attachment of the retainer end 84 of the strap body 82 atthe opposite second leg 52 of the clamp body 32, such as by forming oneor more second retainers 59 on the second leg 52 and/or one or moretransverse slits or holes (not shown) or the like in the retainer end 84of the strap body 82 for selective engagement with the one or moresecond retainers 59 of the clamp body 32, on which basis it will beappreciated that the tension on the strap assembly 80 may be adjustedbased on the selective engagement of the free retainer end 84 of thestrap body 82 with the second leg 52 of the clamp body 32. Withcontinued reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, a clamp pad 72 may be provided onthe clamp inner surface 34 as shown to further accommodate some variancein the configuration or surface of the power tool P and provide a bit ofcushioning opposite the strap 82; accordingly, such pad 72 may be formedof any resilient material now known or later developed, including butnot limited to polyurethane foam, polyethylene foam, expandedpolystyrene foam, expanded polypropylene foam, expanded polyethylenefoam, silicone rubber, ethylene propylene diene monomer (“EPDM”),fluoroelastomer, and neoprene. Once more, those skilled in the art willappreciate that a variety of configurations, geometries, materials, andmethods of construction or assembly, now known or later developed, arepossible according to aspects of the present invention without departingfrom its spirit and scope. By way of further illustration and notlimitation, it will be appreciated that while in the exemplaryembodiment the power tool extension handle apparatus 20 is arranged withthe buckle 92 or fixed or pivot end 83 of the strap body 82 at the firstleg 42 of the clamp body 32 and the free or retainer end 84 of the strapbody 82, and thus the second retainer 59, at the second leg 52 of theclamp body 32, so as to be on the left and right sides of the clamp body32, respectively, as viewed from the rear (FIG. 4), or the side havingthe outwardly and somewhat upwardly protruding handle receiver 62, itwill be appreciated that any such features or aspects of the clampassembly 30 and the overall apparatus 20 may be flipped in one or morerespects so as to be on opposite or different sides without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the invention. Or of course, particularlythe handle receiver 62 may instead be incorporated or integrated intothe power tool P itself.

Turning briefly to FIGS. 3-8, there are shown orthogonal views of theexemplary power tool extension handle apparatus 20 of FIGS. 1 and 2.While merely illustrative and non-limiting and again noting that thedrawings are schematic in nature and are not to be taken literally or toscale or to represent any exact dimensions, the apparatus 20 beingsubject to variations in configuration and simple scaling up or down, inthe exemplary embodiment the overall dimensions of particularly thestrap 82 are approximately three-quarter inch (¾ in.) wide and eightinches (8 in.) long and of the clamp body 32 approximately three inches(3 in.) wide and long and approximately three-quarter inch (¾ in.) deepin the region of the legs 42, 52, though again it will be appreciatedthat a variety of other dimensions are possible. Even specifically for apalm sander power tool P (FIG. 9) having a neck N with a nominaldiameter of two-and-a-half inches (2½ in.), the strap 82 may be in therange of one-half to one inch (½-1 in.) wide and in the range of six toten inches (6-10 in.) long and the overall dimensions of the clamp bodywidth and/or length may be in the range of two to four inches (2-4 in.).Notably, in the exemplary embodiment as best seen in FIG. 5, the handlereceiver 62 may be at an angle A relative to the clamp body 32, herenominally approximately thirty degrees (30°), though again it will beappreciated that for design, ergonomic, or other reasons such angle A ofthe handle receiver 62 may vary and so may be in the range of fifteen toforty-five degrees (15-45°), for example—and this assumes a rigid handlereceiver 62 and thus a fixed angle A, though it will be appreciated fromother exemplary embodiments shown and described herein below inconnection with FIGS. 13-20 and 22-32, alternative arrangements arecontemplated wherein the angle of the handle receiver 62 or of thehandle E, 130 or the handle mount 142 relative to the clamp body 32 orthe power tool P itself may be adjustable in one or more planes. Thelength of the handle receiver 62 may also vary, in part depending on theparticular engagement means of the extension handle E therewith, here inthe exemplary embodiment again being a threaded hole 64 and so thereceiver 62 being of sufficient length for the hole 64 to be ofsufficient depth for threaded engagement with a broom handle or thelike—typically, such hole 64 or such threaded engagement would be on theorder of one inch (1 in.), though again may vary. As best seen in thetop and bottom views of FIGS. 7 and 8, the clamp body 32 and associatedfirst and second legs 42, 52 once more together define a curved profilethat is to substantially conform to the feature of the power tool P onwhich the apparatus 20 is to be selectively attached; again, in theexemplary embodiment as shown in FIG. 9, such is the substantiallyrounded neck N area of the palm sander power tool P. More particularly,taking the nominal diameter of the neck N to be in the range of two tothree inches (2-3 in.), it follows that the curvature of the innersurface 34 of the clamp body 32 would have a radius on the order of oneto one-and-a-half inches (1-1½ in.). As also can be seen in the top andbottom views of FIGS. 7 and 8, the offset legs 42, 52 defining theperimeter or profile of the clamp body 32 may be of sufficient length toseat against a portion of the power tool neck N but not necessarily evena full half-circle or one hundred eighty degrees (180°) thereabout; inthe exemplary embodiment the clamp body 32 may encompass about onehundred thirty-five degrees (135°) of the neck N circumference, with therest enclosed by the strap 82, though it will be appreciated that theclamp body 32 may generally be configured to circumferentially encompasson the order of one quarter to one half (¼-½) of the feature or to spanapproximately ninety to one hundred eighty degrees (90-180°) of theoverall circumference, with again the remainder being selectivelyenclosed by operation of the strap assembly 80. Once more, those skilledin the art will appreciate that a variety of configurations and relatedabsolute and proportional sizes for the apparatus 20 and its componentssuch as the clamp assembly 30 and the strap assembly 80 are possibleaccording to aspects of the present invention without departing from itsspirit and scope.

Turning now to FIGS. 9 and 10, the exemplary power tool extension handleapparatus 20 of FIGS. 1-8 is here shown in use as being mounted on apalm sander power tool P and having a broom handle-style extensionhandle E threadably engaged with the handle receiver 62. As shown, thepower tool P generally comprises a head H, an opposite base B, and arelatively smaller or narrower “necked down” portion or neck Nintermediate the head H and base B. The clamp assembly 30 and the strapassembly 80 of the apparatus 20 are cooperatively installed about theneck N so as to temporarily secure the apparatus 20 on the power tool Pas described above. As shown, the apparatus 20 is installed orientedwith the handle receiver 62 angled upwardly relative to the sander powertool P in its normal operational orientation wherein its vibrating orworking surface S faces down, against a substantially upwardly-facing,horizontal surface such as a table top or floor or any other board orother item that is oriented horizontally as on a workbench or across sawhorses, for example. It will be appreciated that if a floor or othersuch low horizontal surface were to be sanded, operating the sanderpower tool P with the apparatus 20 and extension handle E installed asshown in FIG. 9 would enable such floor sanding or the like via the palmsander P as by grasping and manipulating the extension handle E withoutthe user having to be on his or her knees or severely stooped over. Itwill of course be further appreciated that at times vertical or angledsurfaces or even overhead surfaces may require sanding as well. Indeed,as illustrated in FIG. 10, with the exemplary power tool extensionhandle apparatus 20 installed as oriented in FIG. 9 and then simplyinverted or used “upside down,” an overhead surface such as a ceiling Cmay be relatively easily and safely sanded without the need for ladders,scaffolding, stilts, or the like, depending on the height of the ceilingC and the length of the extension handle E, which may typically be onthe order of four to six feet (4-6 ft.) and so would easily allow a userU to sand eight to ten foot (8-10′) high ceilings C, which are mostcommon at least in residential construction, while standing comfortablyand safely on the floor. Those skilled in the art will appreciate thatwalls W all the way up to such a ceiling C may also be easily sanded bygrasping and manipulating the extension handle E so as to position thepalm sander P as desired with its working surface S against the wall W,ceiling C, or other surface that is to be sanded. Once more, it will beappreciated that the apparatus 20 may be installed on such a palm sanderpower tool P in any desired orientation, such as being inverted from theposition shown in FIG. 9 so as to have the handle receiver 62 orienteddownwardly, as might be desirable if an overhead upwardly-facing surfaceis to be sanded versus an overhead downwardly-facing surface like aceiling C. It will also be appreciated that the apparatus 20 in anyorientation may also be positioned rotationally at virtually anyposition about the circumference of the palm sander P as may be desiredfor its manipulation and use, except that it is desirable with suchexemplary power tool extension handle apparatus 20 that the angledhandle receiver 62 at least be oriented so that it and any extensionhandle E installed therein clears the power cord D that typicallyextends from the sander head H as shown. Relatedly, if the apparatus 20is installed inverted relative to the palm sander P, it should beoriented such that the receiver 62 and handle E clear the sander exhaustT and any dust collector O installed on the exhaust T. Once again, sucha power tool extension handle apparatus 20 according to aspects of thepresent invention may similarly be installed on a variety of other powertools and the like beyond the illustrated palm sander P, which is to beunderstood as exemplary and non-limiting. That is, it will beappreciated that by providing a sufficiently long strap 82 (FIGS. 1 and2) and having its effective or working length be adjustable via at leastits slidable engagement with the pivot buckle 92 (FIGS. 1 and 2), avariety of tools P and tool features may be engaged. As such, a powertool extension handle apparatus 20 according to aspects of the presentinvention is provided as being relatively universal in its ability toselectively and removably mount on not just a variety of palm sandersbut a variety of other tools as well.

Referring next to FIGS. 11 and 12, there are shown perspective views ofan alternative exemplary embodiment of a power tool extension handleapparatus 20 according to aspects of the present invention, bothstanding alone (FIG. 11) and again as in use on a palm sander power toolP (FIG. 12). First, with reference to FIG. 11, the alternative apparatus20 again generally comprises a clamp assembly 30 having a clamp body 32with opposite first and second legs 42, 52, including a clamp pad 72 onthe curved inner surface of the clamp body 32. There is also once more astrap assembly 80 for selective engagement with the clamp assembly 30for enabling the apparatus 20 to be mounted on a power tool P or thelike, though here the strap assembly 80 differs from that of the firstexemplary embodiment of FIGS. 1-10 in a few respects. First, regardingthe pivot buckle 92, while it may itself be configured substantially asbest shown in FIG. 2, here it is pivotally attached and then secured inthe tightened position on the first leg 42 of the clamp body 32employing respective pivot and retainer pins 48, 51. That is, the pivotend of the pivot buckle 92 is pivotally mounted on the first leg 42 byhere passing a pivot pin 48 through the first buckle wall pivot hole 95(FIG. 2), the clamp pivot hole 45 (FIG. 2) formed in the first leg 42,and the second buckle wall pivot hole 99 (FIG. 2) so as to define thefirst pivot 44. Similarly, once the strap body 82 is adjusted within thepivot buckle 92 and the pivot buckle 92 is pivoted about the first pivot44, or the pivot pin 48, into the tightened position, the pivot buckle92 is then secured in place by passing the retainer pin 51 through thefirst buckle wall retainer hole 96 (FIG. 2), a clamp retainer hole (notshown) formed in the first leg 42 in the location of the formerspring-bearings 50 (FIGS. 1 and 4), and the second buckle wall retainerhole 100 (FIG. 2) so as to define the first retainer 49. Opposite thepivot buckle 92, the strap body 82 is again formed about a retainer clip112 having a frame 114 that here is secured to the clamp body 32 in thevicinity of the second leg 52 by a retainer bolt 61 defining the secondretainer 59. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that with theretainer end 84 of the strap body 82 mounted or fixed on the clamp body32, here, in order to at least partially disengage the strap assembly80, or an end of the strap body 82, from the clamp assembly 30 so as tomount a power tool P therein, with the pivot buckle 92 not secured butfreely pivoting, the pivot pin 48 may be pulled so as to temporarilycompletely disengage the pivot buckle 92 from the clamp body 32 andthereby allow insertion of a tool P and then reengagement and actuationof the pivot buckle 92 to mount the apparatus 20 on the tool P, assumingthe tool P cannot slide between the clamp assembly 30 and the strapassembly 80 while the strap body 82 is secured to the clamp body 32 atboth ends. Those skilled in the art will once again appreciate that avariety of such components and any combinations thereof are possibleaccording to aspects of the present invention without departing from itsspirit and scope.

With continued reference to FIGS. 11 and 12, it may be further observedthat here the handle receiver 62 extending from the clamp body 32 isformed having offset receiver legs 66 in the end of each of which isformed a receiver threaded hole 64, thus having two such offset,spaced-apart holes 64 rather than one central receiver threaded hole 64(FIGS. 1 and 2) as in the first exemplary embodiment. Accordingly, tofacilitate mounting an extension handle 130 on such a handle receiver62, a handle mount 142 may be formed on the distal end 134 of the handleshaft 132. In the alternative exemplary embodiment shown, the handlemount 142 may be formed having offset handle mount legs 144corresponding to the receiver legs 66 of the handle receiver 62, wherebythe handle mount 142 may be mounted on the handle receiver 62 as byhandle mount screws 148 passing through openings (not shown) in thehandle mount 142 and into the respective receiver threaded holes 64 soas to join the handle mount legs 144 with the respective receiver legs66 and thus install the extension handle 130 on the apparatus 20. Itwill be appreciated by those skilled in the art that a virtuallyinfinite variety of configurations of the handle mount 142 and anyfasteners for installing the handle mount 142 on the receiver 62 arepossible, such that the exemplary arrangement is to be understood asillustrative and non-limiting. Relatedly, as shown in FIG. 12, thehandle mount 142 and the handle mount legs 144 particularly may be bentor angled so that the handle mount 142 and associated extension handle130 extend away from the clamp assembly 30 and clamp body 32 at anangle, here of approximately forty-five degrees (45°), though of courseother angles are possible in various configurations and contexts, withsuch angle again being either fixed or adjustable according to aspectsof the present invention. It will also be appreciated particularly withreference to FIG. 12 illustrating the alternative exemplary power toolextension handle apparatus 20 in use that the gap or space formedbetween the respective receiver legs 66 and handle mount legs 144creates a handle mount opening 146 through which, for example, the powercord D of the palm sander power tool P may pass when the apparatus isinstalled, the opening 146 serving to allow substantially centralinstallation of the apparatus 20 on the power tool P with the extensionhandle 130 essentially being in the same plane as the power cord D andthe exhaust T, though again other orientations of the apparatus 20relative to the tool P are possible. When the cord D extends through theopening 146 it will be appreciated that the structure surrounding thecord D will thus protect it and prevent it from being kinked or bendingback toward the sander P when in use. Similarly, if the apparatus 20 isinstalled inverted and is to be oriented somewhat centrally, the samehandle mount opening 146 would then provide clearance for any dustcollector O (FIG. 10) installed on the sander exhaust T. Once soassembled, the palm sander power tool P with power tool extension handleapparatus 20 and related extension handle 130 mounted thereon as throughthe handle mount 142 may be employed in sanding any desired surface asdescribed herein. Here, it will be appreciated that the extension handle130 and particularly the handle shaft 132 may be formed integrally withthe handle mount 142 or the two components may again be removablyengaged employing any means now known or later developed.

Referring briefly to FIG. 13, there is shown a perspective view of afurther alternative exemplary embodiment power tool extension handleapparatus 20 according to aspects of the present invention. Here, theapparatus 20 is essentially identical to the first exemplary embodimentof FIGS. 1-10, except that the handle receiver 62 is pivotable relativeto the clamp assembly 30. Particularly, the handle receiver 62 is formedas a separate component and pivotally installed on the clamp body 32 asthrough a receiver pivot 68. Here, the receiver pivot 68 is oriented soas to allow the handle receiver 62 to pivot somewhat left and rightrelative to the clamp body 32 which would enable the direction ofoperation or force relative to the power tool P (FIGS. 9, 10 and 12) tobe adjusted without adjusting or having to loosen and tighten theengagement of the apparatus 20 with the tool P, which it will beappreciated may be convenient during certain uses, such as working incorners. It will also be appreciated though not shown that instead or inaddition, the receiver pivot 68 may be arranged to allow the handlereceiver 62 to pivot somewhat up and down relative to the clamp body 32so as to thereby enable the direction or angle of the extension handle130 relative to the power tool P to be adjusted, which again may beconvenient when working on multiple surfaces, such as transitioning fromsanding a ceiling C to an adjoining wall W (FIG. 10), or vice versa.Those skilled in the art will appreciate that a variety of such pivotsand their arrangement are possible according to aspects of the presentinvention, which will again be further appreciated from the otheralternative arrangements shown in FIGS. 14-20 and 22-32, such that thatthe arrangement shown and described is to be understood as merelyillustrative and non-limiting. With continued reference to FIG. 13, theparticular side-to-side pivot arrangement shown, and again any othersuch arrangement for up-down pivoting or otherwise, may comprise anarray of receiver pivot holes 69 formed in the articulating handlereceiver 62 about the central receiver pivot 68 for selective indexingof the pivot or angular position as by inserting a receiver pivot pin 70through a select receiver pivot hole 69 and into the clamp body 32, ormore particularly inserting the receiver pivot pin 70 through a receiverpivot hole 69 aligned with a hole (not shown) in the clamp body 32 whenthe handle receiver 62 is shifted or indexed to the desired position soas to align such holes for the passage therethrough of the receiverpivot pin 70 and thereby lock the handle receiver 62 in a desiredposition relative to the clamp body 32.

Turning to FIGS. 14 and 15, there are shown perspective views of a stillfurther alternative exemplary embodiment of a power tool extensionhandle apparatus 20 according to aspects of the present invention, bothstanding alone (FIG. 14) and again as in use on a palm sander power toolP (FIG. 15). First, with reference to FIG. 14, the alternative apparatus20 again generally comprises a clamp assembly 30 having a clamp body 32with opposite first and second legs 42, 52 and a handle receiver 62installed on the clamp body 32. Here, the handle receiver 62 is formedas an angled plate essentially mounted on the back or edge of the clampbody 32 opposite of the legs 42, 52 and then formed to bend or extendback over the clamp body 32, and particularly the legs 42, 52 andrelated inner surface 34 so as to thus position any extension handle 130mounted on the handle receiver 62 substantially over or aligned with themidline of any power tool P mounted within the apparatus 20. To installany such tool P, rather than a strap assembly 80 as in priorembodiments, though such or any other removable engagement means nowknown or later developed may be employed, here there is shown a clampbracket 120 configured to engage the offset legs 42, 52 of the clampbody 32 and thus complete the clamp assembly 30 and provide for completesecurement about the perimeter or circumference of any power tool Pfeature on which the apparatus 20 is to be selectively mounted. Asshown, a pair of clamp bracket screws 122 may be provided for thepurpose of mounting the clamp bracket 120 onto the clamp body 32. As forthe handle receiver 62, here the angled plate defining the receiver 62is formed opposite the clamp body 32, in the region thereover, having ahandle mount pin 150 on which the handle shaft 132 of the extensionhandle 130 is pivotally engaged at a distal end 134 thereof. A handlemount bolt 154 engages the handle shaft 132 offset from the handle mountpin 150 through a handle mount slot 152 formed in the receiver 62,whereby the angle of the extension handle 130 relative to the handlereceiver 62 and thus the clamp assembly 30 may be adjusted byselectively loosening the handle mount bolt 154, pivoting the handleshaft 132 about the handle mount pin 150 as the handle mount bolt 154slides within the handle mount slot 152, and retightening the handlemount bolt 154 to secure the extension handle shaft 132 relative to theclamp assembly 30 in the desired position. It will be appreciated bythose skilled in the art that such further alternative exemplaryapparatus 20 thus enables articulation or selective adjustment of theangle of the extension handle 130 relative to the power tool P installedwithin the apparatus 20. In addition, once more, as in otherembodiments, the power tool P may be installed in various orientationsrelative to the apparatus 20, with the angled arrangement of the handlereceiver plate 62 providing clearance such as over or around the head Hof the typical palm sander power tool P even as the neck N is securedwithin the clamp assembly 30 as by being clamped between the clamp body32 and the clamp bracket 120. Once more, those skilled in the art willappreciate that a variety of other arrangements and combinations andconfigurations of components are possible according to aspects of thepresent invention without departing from its spirit and scope. By way offurther illustration and not limitation, the clamp assembly 30 and clampbody 32 particularly may be configured as in the other exemplaryembodiments shown and described in connection with FIGS. 1-13 and sointerface with a strap assembly 80 for the purpose of mounting the powertool P therein while having an angled handle receiver 62 and pivotallyadjustable extension handle 130 engaged therewith as in the embodimentof FIGS. 14 and 15.

Referring next to FIGS. 16 and 17, there are shown perspective views ofa still further alternative exemplary embodiment of a power toolextension handle apparatus 20 according to aspects of the presentinvention, somewhat analogous to the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 11and 12, though here with the handle mount 142 being pivotable relativeto the handle receiver 62, and thus showing the apparatus 20 as in useon a palm sander power tool P in two different operational modes forpurposes of illustration. The alternative apparatus 20 again generallycomprises a clamp assembly 30 having a clamp body 32 with opposite firstand second legs 42, 52 (FIG. 11) and a strap assembly 80 for selectiveengagement with the clamp assembly 30 for enabling the apparatus 20 tobe mounted on a power tool P or the like; here, the strap assembly 80 isagain shown as the alternative arrangement of FIGS. 11 and 12, but againmay also comprise a strap assembly 80 as in the exemplary embodiment ofFIGS. 1-10, or any other such assembly or component by which theapparatus 20 may be selectively and temporarily secured on a power toolP or the like. The handle receiver 62 extending from the clamp body 32is once more formed having offset receiver legs 66 configured forengagement with the corresponding offset handle mount legs 144 formed onthe handle mount 142 positioned at the distal end 134 of the handleshaft 132. Here, rather than fixedly mounting the handle mount 142 ontothe handle receiver 62 as by handle mount screws 148 joining the handlemount legs 144 to the respective receiver legs 66 as shown in FIGS. 11and 12 to thus install the extension handle 130 on the apparatus 20, thehandle mount legs 144 are pivotally installed on the receiver legs 66via respective receiver pivot pins 70. In the alternative exemplaryembodiment shown, the pivot pins 70 are oriented somewhat horizontallyto facilitate up-down angular movement of the extension handle 130relative to the clamp assembly 30 and thus the power tool P, though itwill again be appreciated that any other such arrangement forside-to-side pivoting or otherwise is possible according to aspects ofthe present invention. It will thus be appreciated by those skilled inthe art that a virtually infinite variety of configurations of thehandle mount 142 and any fasteners for selectively and pivotallyinstalling the handle mount 142 on the receiver 62 are possible, suchthat the exemplary arrangement employing one or more pivot pins 70 is tobe understood as illustrative and non-limiting. Regarding the possibleoperational modes of such an alternative power tool extension handleapparatus 20 according to aspects of the present invention, first, withreference to FIG. 16, in a default first operational mode, the handlemount 142 is positioned relative to the handle receiver 62 such that theextension handle 130, and the handle shaft 132, specifically, is at anangle, for example, of approximately forty-five degrees (45°), much likethe rigid or fixed engagement of the handle 130 relative to the clampassembly 30 in the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 11 and 12. Relatedly,the handle mount 142 and the handle mount legs 144 particularly mayagain be bent or angled so that while the body of the handle mount 142and the associated extension handle 130 extend away from the clampassembly 30 at an angle, again here of approximately forty-five degrees(45°), though of course other angles are possible in variousconfigurations and contexts, the handle mount legs 144 themselves may besubstantially in line or parallel with the respective receiver legs 66in the default first operational mode as shown in FIG. 16. Turning thento FIG. 17, there is shown the same apparatus 20 now in a secondoperational mode wherein the handle 130 is pivoted relative to the clampassembly 30 through an angle Y measured from the default firstoperational configuration as by simply pivoting the handle mount 142 andthe handle mount legs 144 specifically relative to the handle receiver62 and the receiver legs 66 specifically about the pivot pin(s) 70.Here, it can be seen that the handle 130 is effectively lowered ororiented somewhat horizontally and hence brought more in line with theplane of the clamp body 32 and thus the plane of the working surface Sof the power tool P, as may be desired in certain applications. Thoughnot shown, the handle 130 may have instead been pivoted in the oppositedirection from the default first operational configuration of FIG. 16 soas to orient the handle 130 somewhat vertically or somewhatperpendicular to the plane of the clamp body 32 and thus the plane ofthe working surface S of the power tool P. It will be appreciated thatthe handle 130 may thus be shifted through a range of angles B, from atleast zero to ninety degrees (0-90°), though again, even further angularmovement may be possible and at times desirable. In indexing theextension handle 130 relative to the clamp assembly 30 as shown anddescribed, it will be appreciated that any mechanical engagement betweenthe relative sliding surfaces for substantial securement of the handle130, and the handle mount 142 specifically, relative to the clampassembly 30, and the clamp body 32 specifically, now known or laterdeveloped may be employed according to aspects of the present inventionwithout departing from its spirit and scope, including but not limitedto frictional surfaces, ratcheting surfaces or features, selectivelyengageable magnets, etc., with or without any biasing elements such assprings or flexible memory materials to bias the handle mount 142 to adesired position or orientation relative to the handle receiver 62 Itwill also be appreciated particularly with reference to FIG. 17illustrating the alternative exemplary power tool extension handleapparatus 20 in use in its second operational mode that as the handle130 is pivoted downwardly and thus more in-line also with the tool'spower cord D the gap or space formed between the respective receiverlegs 66 and particularly the handle mount legs 144 creates a handlemount opening 146 through which the power cord D of the palm sanderpower tool P still may pass when the apparatus is installed in variousangular positions of the handle 130, the opening 146 again serving toallow substantially central installation of the apparatus 20 on thepower tool P with the extension handle 130 essentially being in the sameplane as the power cord D and the exhaust T, though again otherorientations of the apparatus 20 relative to the tool P are possible,while still protecting such structure of the power tool P. Relatedly, itwill be appreciated that if the apparatus 20 were installed in aninverted position relative to the power tool P while again orientedsomewhat centrally, the same handle mount opening 146 would then provideclearance for any dust collector O (FIG. 10) installed on the sanderexhaust T and even with various angular orientations of the extensionhandle 130. Once so assembled, the palm sander power tool P with powertool extension handle apparatus 20 and related extension handle 130mounted thereon may be employed in sanding any desired surface asdescribed herein. It will again be appreciated that the extension handle130 and particularly the handle shaft 132 may be formed integrally withthe handle mount 142 or the two components may be removably engagedemploying any means now known or later developed.

Referring to FIGS. 18-20, there are shown perspective views of a stillfurther alternative exemplary embodiment of a power tool extensionhandle apparatus 20 according to aspects of the present invention, heresomewhat analogous to the exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 1-10 and 13though with the handle receiver 62 for receipt of the extension handle Ebeing substantially universally pivotable relative to the clamp body 32,and thus showing the apparatus 20 as in use on a palm sander power toolP in three different operational modes for purposes of illustration.Generally, the alternative apparatus 20 again comprises a clamp assembly30 having a clamp body 32 with opposite first and second legs 42, 52(FIGS. 1 and 13) and a strap assembly 80 for selective engagement withthe clamp assembly 30 for enabling the apparatus 20 to be mounted on apower tool P or the like; here, the strap assembly 80 is again shown asthe first exemplary arrangement of FIGS. 1-10 and 13, but again may alsocomprise a strap assembly 80 as in the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 11and 12, or any other such assembly or component by which the apparatus20 may be selectively and temporarily secured on a power tool P or thelike. The alternative clamp body 32 is further formed with a somewhatrearwardly projecting receiver ball 67 on which the handle receiver 62formed having a corresponding receiver socket 71 is engaged distally;the proximal end of the receiver 62 may again be configured with areceiver threaded hole 64 (FIGS. 1 and 13) for threadable receipt of thedistal end of the extension handle E, or again with any other engagementmeans now known or later developed. It will be appreciated that suchball-and-socket-type engagement of the handle E, and specifically thehandle receiver 62, with the clamp assembly 30, and specifically theclamp body 32, enables universal movement therebetween, or pivoting ofthe handle E or the handle receiver 62 in multiple planes, or up anddown and side to side. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that anumber of such universal joint connections beyond that shown anddescribed, whether now known or later developed, are possible accordingto aspects of the present invention, such that the exemplary receiverball 67 and receiver socket 71 components should be understood asillustrative and non-limiting. Briefly regarding the illustratedoperational modes, then, as shown in FIG. 18, a default firstoperational mode here may entail the handle E and specifically thehandle receiver 62 with receiver socket 71 substantially in-line with orcentered on the clamp body's receiver ball 67, which may be achievedthrough a variety of biasing techniques related to the configuration andmaterial properties of the components, particularly the engagement ofrespective arcuate or semi-spherical surfaces. Then, as illustrated inFIGS. 19 and 20, the handle E may be pivoted relative to the clampassembly 30 as by shifting the receiver socket 71 on the receiver ball67, either up and down through a vertical displacement angle Y (FIG. 19)in a second operational mode, somewhat analogous to the pivotingrelationship illustrated in FIGS. 16 and 17 with respect to anotheralternative embodiment, or from side to side through a horizontaldisplacement angle Z (FIG. 20) in a third operational mode. It willagain be appreciated that a variety of arrangements and angles arepossible according to aspects of the present invention, such that thoseillustrated are merely exemplary and not limiting or to be takenliterally. Those skilled in the art will specifically appreciate thatwhile vertical or up and down and horizontal or side to side movement isillustrated, any such universal joint allows for angular pivoting at anyangles, including intermediate angular orientations in planes other thanthose that are substantially vertical or horizontal, as may be desiredin a variety of applications or uses. Relatedly, in the presentarrangement with a single, substantially central handle receiver 62,there are not legs or the like that must or may at times straddle a cordD or dust collector O (FIG. 10) or the like, such that a relatively fullrange of motion is enabled, subject still to the locations of the cord Dand/or dust collector O and/or subject to the orientation of the powertool P within the apparatus 20. The desired angular position of thehandle E for any particular application or use may be maintainedessentially based on the pressure or force applied along the handle Eand thus the power tool P, and specifically its working surface S,against any surface such as a wall W or ceiling C on which the tool P isacting. Such positioning or position retention may further be achievedor maintained based on the frictional engagement between the receiverball 67 and receiver socket 71 or other such structure, though again mayinstead or in addition employ ratcheting or locking or other featuresnow known or later developed without departing from the spirit and scopeof the invention. It will be further appreciated that while the receiverball 67 is shown as being installed on or incorporated into the clampbody 32 and the receiver socket 71 is shown as being installed on orincorporated into the handle receiver 62, such components or any otheranalogous structure may also be reversed. Any and all such structure maybe integral or unitary in its manufacture or be assembled from multipleparts, again whether in permanent or temporary and/or fixed or movablearrangements.

Turning next to FIGS. 21-32, there are shown a variety of furtheralternative exemplary embodiments wherein the power tool extensionhandle apparatus 20, and the handle receiver 62 specifically, isincorporated or integrated into the illustrative sander power tool P. Ina bit more detail, such embodiments entail one or more features built orincorporated directly into the power tool P to accommodate eitherpermanent or removable engagement of an extension handle E, directly orindirectly, such that the power tool P is effectively purpose-built forthe accommodation of an extension handle E rather than the power tool Pbeing a prior art or industry known design on which an after-marketextension handle apparatus 20 may be installed as illustrated herein inconnection with the exemplary alternative embodiments of FIGS. 1-20. Itwill be appreciated by those skilled in the art that in this contextthough a particular palm sander power tool P is shown the invention isnot so limited, but may be employed in connection with a variety ofother power tools now known or later developed. Further, though in eachillustrated embodiment of FIGS. 21-32, the power tool extension handleapparatus 20 is shown as being installed substantially at or in thevicinity of the neck N of the power tool P, in alternative embodimentany such installation and related built-in or integrated features may beincorporated at other areas of the power tool P, including but notlimited to the head H or base B. It will be further appreciated thatwhere a power tool P is purpose-built according to aspects of thepresent invention for incorporation of a power tool extension handleapparatus 20, such power tool P may include other adaptations not shownsuch as rearranging or relocating features such as the cord D andexhaust T and related collector O to accommodate particular extensionhandle mounting arrangements. Accordingly, those skilled in the art willappreciate that the various alternative exemplary embodiments areillustrative and non-limiting of the features and aspects of the presentinvention. Moreover, and by way of further illustration, while in theexemplary alternative embodiments of FIGS. 21-32 the extension handle Eis shown as threadably engaging the handle receiver 62, other engagementmeans now known or later developed, including but not limited to press-or interference-fit, locking, snap, clip or clamp, and bayonet-typeengagements, may be employed, such that the illustrated threadedengagement is to be understood as exemplary and non-limiting.

Referring first to FIG. 21, there is shown a perspective view of sanderpower tool P having an extension handle apparatus 20 incorporated in theneck N thereof. The apparatus 20 generally comprises a handle receiver62 extending from the neck N at an angle, analogous to the receiver 62formed as part of the clamp body 32 in the first exemplary embodiment ofFIGS. 1-10. In that first exemplary embodiment, as here, the receiver 62is rigidly mounted, in that it is not shown as pivoting or articulatingin any manner, and so is formed or fashioned at a fixed position orangle. With the after-market clamp assembly 30 of FIGS. 1-10, the entiredevice can at least be clamped on the neck N of the power tool P atvarious radial positions. By analogy, the built-in or integral receiver62 of FIG. 21 can also be installed or integrated at various positions,such that it is to be appreciated that the position illustrated in thevicinity of or somewhat aligned with the power cord D and exhaust T isto be understood as exemplary and non-limiting. And again, in apurpose-built sander P, the power cord D and exhaust T can also beconfigured or located differently. Regardless, those skilled in the artwill appreciate that even in connection with the first exemplaryembodiment of the extension handle apparatus 20 incorporated directly inthe power tool P, there is provided a relatively simple adaptation anduse for conveniently and selectively increasing the reach of the tool P,here by simply screwing or unscrewing the extension handle E from thehandle receiver 62.

Turning to FIGS. 22-24, there is shown an alternative exemplaryembodiment somewhat like that of FIG. 21, except that here the handlereceiver 62 is configured so as to articulate or be shiftable in atleast one direction. That is, rather than being rigidly mounted in afixed position as illustrated with the exemplary handle mount apparatus20 of FIG. 21, the handle receiver 62 is formed on a body 32 havingsomewhat curved or arcuate opposite legs 42, 52 configured to bereceived within a recess 160 formed within the neck N of the power toolP. The recess 160 has a curved back wall 164 spaced from the outer wallof the neck N so as to form a gap therebetween in which the body 32 andparticularly the opposed legs 42, 52 may selectively ride. The body 32has a curved inner surface 34 configured to ride on the curved wall 164of the recess 160 and a somewhat parallel curved outer surface 36 tonests within or follows the inside of the neck N. In this manner it willbe appreciated that at least part of the legs 42, 52 or a portion of thebody 32 is retained within the recess 160 at all times during assemblyand use of the apparatus 20. The perimeter 162 of the recess 160provides stops both horizontally or above and below so as to keep thereceiver 62 and body 32 “in plane” or “on axis” and vertically or leftand right on opposite edges to limit the pivot travel of the body 32 ineach direction. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that movementof the body 32 within the recess 160 may be limited frictionally or bysome other mechanical means such that the body 32 can be shifted tovarious pivot or angular positions as desired for the extension handle Erelative to the power tool P and the working surface S particularly andthen retained in such position, again by friction or otherwise, as thepower tool P is operated unless and entail a force greater than suchfriction or the like is applied to the tool P or handle E so as to shiftone relative to the other. By way of illustration and not limitation,frictional engagement may be provided between the inner surface 34 ofthe body 32 and the curved back wall 164 of the neck recess N formed inthe power tool P. Alternatively, as will be appreciated from variousfurther exemplary embodiments herein, other mechanical means such aspins or the like may be employed in selectively locking the body 32 in adesired position on the neck N, with particular reference to FIGS. 25-28discussed below. Or, as here in the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 22-24,with particular reference to the exploded perspective view of FIG. 24,the body 32 may be biased within the recess 160 or to a particularposition on or relative to the power tool P. As shown, the opposed firstand second legs 42, 52 may be formed with respective first and secondholes 43, 53 or the like for engaging respective first and secondsprings 166, 168 that are at opposite ends engaged within the neck N. Itwill be appreciated by those skilled in the art that each such spring166, 168 being essentially equal and opposite would tend to bias orshift the body 32 and thus the handle receiver 62 and handle E to asomewhat centered position within the recess 160 and thus on the powertool P, defining an “at rest” or “equilibrium” position of the handlereceiver 62, which spring bias could then be overcome by an applicationof a force to the handle E and thus the body 32 in either direction soas to pivot the receiver 62 and handle E off-center, to the extentallowed by the springs 166, 168 and/or the physical limits of traveldictated by the perimeter 162 of the recess 160. As shown in FIG. 23 forillustration, the body 32 and thus the handle receiver 62 and handle Eare shifted to the right from the “at rest” or central position. Thoseskilled in the art will appreciate that a variety of other means andranges of motion and of biasing any such articulating members now knownor later developed may be employed in a power tool extension handleapparatus 20 according to aspects of the present invention beyond thoseshown and described without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention, such that the exemplary embodiments are to be understood asillustrative and non-limiting.

Referring next to FIGS. 25-28, there are shown still further exemplaryembodiments of a power tool extension handle apparatus 20 according toaspects of the present invention as incorporated into a sander powertool P. As shown, the apparatus 20 once more comprises a body 32 with anintegral handle receiver 62, again here configured as an angled memberwith a female threaded hole 64 (FIG. 1), that is assembled with the toolP about its neck N. The body 32 defines or is formed as a completecollar that is circumferentially and rotationally installed about theneck N rather than having first and second or right and left arcuatelegs 42, 52 installed within a recess 160 formed in the neck N (FIG.24). In fact, in the alternative exemplary embodiment, as best seen inFIG. 26, the neck N of the power tool P is formed having acircumferential channel 170 within which the collar-like body 32 rideswhen installed on the neck N. Furthermore, a series of spaced-apart pinholes 172 are formed somewhat centrally about the channel 170 forselective removable receipt of a locking pin 37 installed in and throughthe body 32 so as to allow the body 32 and thus the handle receiver 62and handle E to be selective positioned relative to the power tool P asneeded during use. While a particular arrangement of such pin holes 172and thus a range of movement of the body 32, at least in various lockedpositions, is shown, with further reference to the top assembledcross-sectional view of FIG. 27A taken from line 27A-27A in FIG. 25, itwill be appreciated that a variety of other such arrangements ispossible according to aspects of the present invention, includingvarious other locking mechanisms now known or later developed in theart. As for the exemplary locking pin 37 installed in the body 32, itwill be appreciated that such may be threadably inserted, frictionallyengaged, snap-fit, spring-biased on a keeper, or again any other suchmeans now known or later developed. With further reference to theexploded view of FIG. 26 and its top cross-sectional view counterpart ofFIG. 27B, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the collar-likebody 32 may be formed having a hinge 38 and a spaced-apart coupling 39for selective swinging open or closed a hinged portion of the body 32and thereby removably installing the body 32 about the neck N of thepower tool P, which removal it will be appreciated may be desired whenthe palm sander P is to be used in a conventional manner without anyextension handle E. Conversely, when the palm sander P is to be usedwith an extension handle E, the collar-like body 32 is simply seated inthe channel 170 formed in the neck N, hinged closed, and securedthereabout by re-engaging the coupling 39, the extension handle E isthreaded into the receiver 62, and the rotational position of the handleE is set via the rotatable collar body 32 and locking pin 37. Thoseskilled in the art will appreciate that in certain applications completeremoval of the collar-like body 32 is desirable so that not even theslight obtrusion of the handle receiver 62 remains when the power tool Pis operated without any extension handle E, but that such is notrequired even if the body 32 is capable of being so removed, insteadonly the handle E may be removed while leaving the body 32 in place at adesired position about the neck N of the sander P. In terms ofselectively engaging the body 32 about the neck N, it will first beappreciated that the hinged portion of the body 32 or the actual openingformed between the hinge 38 and the coupling 39 when opened should be atleast as large or larger than the diameter of the neck N in the channel170, which it will be appreciated facilitates passage of the collar-likebody 32 about the neck N in the vicinity of the channel 170 even thoughother regions of the sander power tool P may be larger. The coupling 39for selectively and temporarily securing the body 32 about the neck Nmay be any such mechanism now known or later developed, atongue-and-groove-type undercut engagement being shown. The body 32 herein the exemplary collar-type embodiment and really any other embodimentherein may again be formed of any suitable material and by any suitableprocess now known or later developed, including but not limited tometals such as steel, aluminum, alloys, and the like and a variety ofplastics such as polypropylene, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride (“PVC”),acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (“ABS”), polyethylenes such as highdensity polyethylene (“HDPE”) and low density polyethylene (“LDPE”),polycarbonate, polyurethane, and other such plastics, thermoplastics,thermosetting polymers, and the like, any of which being formed as bymachining, molding, casting, extruding, stamping, etc. In connectionwith the exemplary tongue-and-groove coupling 39 it is desirable thatthe mating components have some slight flex to facilitate theirengagement and disengagement during use, the hinge side of the couplingparticularly being configured as somewhat of a living hinge in theexemplary embodiment, though again any such arrangement now known orlater developed for selectively latching or otherwise installing thebody 32 about the neck N of the sander P now known or later developedmay be employed without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention. Briefly regarding FIG. 28, there is shown a furtheralternative exemplary embodiment much like that of FIGS. 25-27, herehaving not only the collar-like body 32 for rotating or swiveling on theneck of the N of the sander power tool P, but further having a pivotmount of the handle receiver 62 relative to the body 32 for furtherarticulation of the handle E relative to the sander P, in that respectsomewhat analogous to the embodiment of FIGS. 16 and 17. Specifically,as shown the receiver 62 is pivotally mounted onto the body 32 via apivot pin 70. While the rotational and/or pivotal movement of thevarious components illustrated in connection with articulation of theextension handle E is shown and described as being accomplished or evenselectively locked with pins 37, 70, those skilled in the art willappreciate that otherwise analogous embodiments to those of FIGS. 25-28are also possible as having incorporated therein at any such pinlocations or otherwise other locking or biasing means including but notlimited to springs so as to bias any particular connection or linkage toan “at rest” position, away from which the particular component may beshifted by simply applying a force sufficient to overcome the biasingforce or effect of the spring, friction, or other such means now knownor later developed. As such, it will be appreciated once more that thevarious embodiments herein are merely illustrative of features andaspects of the present invention and expressly are non-limiting.

Turning now to FIGS. 29-31, there are shown still further alternativeexemplary embodiments of a power tool extension handle apparatus 20according to aspects of the present invention as incorporated into asander power tool P. As can be seen, the apparatus 20 once morecomprises a body 32 with an integral handle receiver 62, the body 32here configured as a pair of offset legs 42, 52 that are assembled withthe tool P in the region of the neck N but that straddle and extendabout the head H of the tool P and enable engagement and orientation ofthe extension handle E somewhat “from above” rather than “from behind”the tool P. It will be appreciated that such alternative arrangement mayhave certain benefits in use related to working on horizontal surfaces(floors or ceilings) and also is an example of an arrangement thatprovides further clearance relative to the typical location andorientation of the sander power cord D and exhaust T. In a bit moredetail, the handle receiver 62 is again shown as essentially beingformed with a somewhat central threaded hole 64 (FIG. 1) for selectivethreadable engagement with an extension handle E. The apparatus body 32is once more here configured as two spaced-apart or splayed legs 42, 52engaged at one end or proximally with the receiver 62 and terminatingdistally in opposite free ends of the legs 42, 52 that are substantiallyparallel and offset in the exemplary embodiment. At such distal freeends of the legs 42, 52 there are formed opposite and inwardly-extendingleg pins 40 configured to selectively engage corresponding leg mountholes 182 formed in opposed leg mounts 180 installed on, incorporatedinto, or otherwise formed on somewhat opposite sides of the neck N ofthe sander P. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that suchengagement of the leg pins 40 with the leg mounts 180 may be byselectively pushing or pulling the leg pins 40 relative to the legs 42,52, analogous to the locking pin 37, or may be by selectively flexingthe opposite legs 42, 52 outwardly so that the pin 40, though immovablerelative to the legs 42, 52, may clear the leg mounts 180 and bepositioned adjacent to the leg mount holes 182, and then seat thereinupon release of the legs 42, 52, the legs 42, 52 thus being sufficientlyflexible and resilient and thus serving to allow such operation and thenspring or be biased back into a position wherein the leg pins 40 areengaged with the leg mounts 180 on the sander P as desired. Once again,it will be appreciated that a variety of other means of selectively andpivotally mounting the receiver 62 and thus the extension handle E onthe power tool P beyond the exemplary embodiments shown and describedare possible according to aspects of the present invention. As alsoshown, in the exemplary alternative embodiment of FIGS. 29-31, at leastone of the leg mounts 180 may be formed having an adjacent leg mountplate 184 configured in somewhat of a curved or arced arrangement andhaving a curved pattern of leg mount plate holes 186 formed therein. Alocking pin 37 is then formed on or installed in the at least one leg42, 52 adjacent to the leg mount plate 184 in a position for selectivelyengaging one of the leg mount plate holes 186 so as to selectively lockthe legs 42, 52 and thus the body 32, retainer 62, and extension handleE at a desired angular position relative to the sander power tool P. Aswith other embodiments herein, while a particular pattern of such legmount plate holes 186 is shown and thus a range of possible angles ormovement of the handle assembly relative to the tool P, the invention isnot so limited, and all such configurations and geometries are again tobe understood as merely illustrative of aspects of the present inventionand not limiting. By way of further illustration and not limitation, andwith reference now to FIG. 31 particularly, there is shown yet anotheralternative exemplary embodiment of a power tool extension handleapparatus 20 according to aspects of the present invention much likethat of FIGS. 29 and 30, except that here rather than the opposite legmounts 180 being rigidly mounted or affixed to the neck N of the sanderP, the mounts 180 are themselves installed on a collar-like body 32′that rotates about the neck N analogous the exemplary embodiments ofFIGS. 25-28, such secondary body 32′ itself having a secondary lockingpin 37′ for selectively locking the handle assembly at a desiredrotational position relative to the sander P with the remainder of theassembly, namely the legs 42, 52 together forming the primary body 32then still be pivotable as disclosed herein. It will be appreciated thatsuch an alternative arrangement allows for multi-axis articulation ofthe extension handle E relative to the sander P during use. And asindicated previously, while any such means of articulation are shown anddescribed as being selectively locked as with pins 37, 37′ or the like,either, both, or any or all such means may instead be biased as byfriction, a spring, or the like to an “at rest” or default position fromwhich the handle E and related assembly may be shifted relative to thesander P upon the application of an appropriate force during use.

Finally, referring to FIG. 32, there is shown a still furtheralternative exemplary embodiment of a power tool extension handleapparatus 20 according to aspects of the present invention asincorporated into a sander power tool P, here with the handle receiver62 for receipt of the extension handle E being substantially universallypivotable relative to the sander P in a fashion analogous to theexemplary embodiment of FIGS. 18-20. That is, rather than a separateclamp body 32 (FIGS. 18-20) having a receiver ball 67 that may beremovably installed about the neck N of the sander P, the receiver ball67 is formed integrally on the neck N of the sander P. In the exemplaryembodiment, the receiver ball 67 is configured to extend or projectsomewhat rearwardly, on which the handle receiver 62 formed having acorresponding receiver socket 71 is engaged distally. The proximal endof the receiver 62 may again be configured with a receiver threaded hole64 (FIG. 1) for threadable receipt of the distal end of the extensionhandle E, or again with any other engagement means now known or laterdeveloped. It will again be appreciated that such ball-and-socket-typeengagement of the handle E, and specifically the handle receiver 62,with the sander P, and specifically the receiver ball 67, enablesuniversal movement therebetween, or pivoting of the handle E or thehandle receiver 62 in multiple planes, or up and down and side to side.Those skilled in the art will appreciate that a number of such universaljoint connections beyond that shown and described, whether now known orlater developed, are possible according to aspects of the presentinvention, such that the exemplary receiver ball 67 and receiver socket71 components should be understood as illustrative and non-limiting. Andonce more, while the receiver ball 67 is shown as being installed at aparticular location and angle on or relative to the sander P, theinvention is not so limited and the mount or ball 67 may in fact bepositioned in a virtually infinite number of configurations. Moreover,while the receiver ball 67 is shown as mounted rigidly on the neck N ofthe power tool P, it will be appreciated that such ball 67 may insteadbe mounted on a rotating collar or other such body 32 (FIG. 25) or anyother such structure without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention.

Fundamentally, it will be appreciated from the foregoing and thenumerous exemplary embodiments shown and described herein of variouspower tool extension handle apparatuses 20 according to aspects of thepresent invention, whether an after-market design configured to beselectively and removably assembled onto a conventional palm sander orother such power tool P or one or more features incorporated into apurpose-built power tool P for selectively and removably installing anextension handle on the power tool P, such features may be combined in avariety of ways beyond those disclosed to suit a particular applicationor certain other design objectives without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention, such that, once more, the various exemplaryembodiments herein are to be understood as merely illustrative offeatures and aspects of the present invention and expresslynon-limiting.

Aspects of the present specification may also be described as follows:

1. A power tool extension handle apparatus for temporarily securing anextension handle on a power tool having a neck, the apparatuscomprising: a clamp assembly comprising a clamp body having a first legand an offset second leg, the first leg having a first pivot and a firstretainer and the second leg having a second retainer, the clamp bodyfurther having a handle receiver with a receiver threaded hole formedtherein, the clamp body and the first and second legs together defininga curved clamp inner surface; and a strap assembly comprising a strapbody having a pivot end and an opposite retainer end, the strap assemblyfurther comprising a pivot buckle having a first buckle wall and anopposite second buckle wall interconnected by spaced-apart buckle slatsso as to form buckle slots therebetween, the strap body beingselectively passed around the buckle slats and through the buckle slotsso as secure the pivot end of the strap body within the pivot buckle,the first and second buckle walls being formed with respective andopposite first and second buckle wall pivot holes such that the pivotbuckle is pivotally engaged with the first pivot formed on the first legof the clamp body, the strap body being further formed having a retainerclip at the retainer end of the strap body for selective engagement withthe second retainer formed on the second leg of the clamp body; wherebythe clamp assembly and the strap assembly may cooperatively engage theneck of the power tool as by the clamp body being positioned such thatthe curved clamp inner surface partially encompasses the neck of thepower tool and then securing the strap assembly on the clamp assembly soas to fully encompass the neck as by adjusting the pivot end of thestrap body within the pivot buckle, engaging the retainer clip at theretainer end of the strap body with the second retainer formed on thesecond leg of the clamp body, and pivoting the pivot buckle about thefirst pivot so as to engage the pivot buckle with the first retainerformed on the first leg of the clamp body so as to temporarily securethe apparatus about the power tool, enabling increased reach with thepower tool through engagement of the extension handle with the handlereceiver formed on the clamp body.

2. The apparatus of embodiment 1 wherein: the clamp body is furtherformed having a clamp outer surface offset from the clamp inner surface;and the handle receiver is formed so as to extend from the outersurface.

3. The apparatus of embodiment 1 or embodiment 2 wherein the handlereceiver is at an angle of fifteen to forty-five degrees relative to theclamp body.

4. The apparatus of any of embodiments 1-3 wherein the handle receiveris pivotable relative to the clamp body.

5. The apparatus of any of embodiments 1-4 wherein the handle receivercomprises: a receiver pivot pivotally engaging the clamp bodyintermediate the first and second legs; an array of receiver pivot holesformed offset from the receiver pivot; and a receiver pivot pin engagingboth a select pivot hole of the handle receiver and the clamp body so asto selectively and temporarily fix the handle receiver relative to theclamp body.

6. The apparatus of any of embodiments 1-5 wherein: the handle receiveris further formed having a handle mount pin offset from an arcuatehandle mount slot formed therein; and the extension handle is formedhaving a handle shaft configured at a distal end thereof to pivotallyengage the handle receiver as by being pivotally connected to the handlemount pin and having a handle mount bolt that engages the handle shaftoffset from the handle mount pin through the handle mount slot.

7. The apparatus of any of embodiments 1-4 wherein the handle receiverfurther comprises offset receiver legs; and the handle mount is formedhaving offset handle mount legs substantially corresponding to theoffset receiver legs and pivotally mounted thereto, the offset handlemount legs defining a handle mount opening therebetween.

8. The apparatus of any of embodiments 1-4 wherein the handle receivercomprises a receiver socket configured to selectively and pivotallyengage a receiver ball formed on the clamp body.

9. The apparatus of any of embodiments 1-8 further comprising a clamppad formed on the clamp inner surface.

10. The apparatus of any of embodiments 1-9 wherein the first and secondbuckle wall pivot holes are substantially aligned.

11. The apparatus of any of embodiments 1-10 wherein a pivot bolt passesthrough the respective first and second buckle wall pivot holes and anintermediate clamp pivot hole formed in the first leg of the clamp body,the pivot bolt and clamp pivot hole together defining the first pivotand thereby pivotally engaging the pivot buckle with the first leg ofthe clamp body.

12. The apparatus of embodiment 11 wherein a screw is engaged axiallywith the pivot bolt to secure the pivot bolt within the clamp pivothole.

13. The apparatus of any of embodiments 1-10 wherein a pivot pin passesthrough the respective first and second buckle wall pivot holes and anintermediate pivot hole formed in the first leg of the clamp body, thepivot pin and clamp pivot hole together defining the first pivot andthereby pivotally engaging the pivot buckle with the first leg of theclamp body.

14. The apparatus of any of embodiments 1-13 wherein a firstspring-bearing defining the first retainer is formed on the first leg ofthe clamp body offset from the first pivot so as to selectively engage afirst buckle wall retainer hole formed in the first buckle wall offsetfrom the first buckle wall pivot hole as the pivot buckle is pivotedabout the first pivot and thereby temporarily secure the pivot buckleadjacent to the first leg of the clamp body.

15. The apparatus of embodiment 14 wherein a second spring-bearingfurther defining the first retainer is formed on the first leg of theclamp body offset from the first pivot so as to selectively engage asecond buckle wall retainer hole formed in the second buckle wall offsetfrom the second buckle wall pivot hole.

16. The apparatus of any of embodiments 1-13 wherein a retainer pindefining the first retainer is configured to selectively pass through afirst buckle wall retainer hole formed in the first buckle wall offsetfrom the first buckle wall pivot hole and pass into the first leg of theclamp body offset from the first pivot as the pivot buckle is pivotedabout the first pivot and thereby temporarily secure the pivot buckleadjacent to the first leg of the clamp body.

17. The apparatus of embodiment 16 wherein the retainer pin defining thefirst retainer is configured to selectively further pass through thefirst leg of the clamp body offset from the first pivot and through asecond buckle wall retainer hole formed in the second buckle wall offsetfrom the second buckle wall pivot hole.

18. The apparatus of any of embodiments 1-17 wherein a first buckle wallretainer hole formed in the first buckle wall offset from the firstbuckle wall pivot hole and a second buckle wall retainer hole formed inthe second buckle wall offset from the second buckle wall pivot hole aresubstantially aligned.

19. The apparatus of any of embodiments 1-18 wherein asubstantially-outwardly projecting retainer flange defining the secondretainer is formed on the second leg of the clamp body so as toselectively engage the retainer clip formed on the retainer end of thestrap body of the strap assembly.

20. The apparatus of any of embodiments 1-19 wherein the retainer clipcomprises a frame having a distal retainer member configured toselectively engage the retainer flange.

21. The apparatus of any of embodiments 1-18 wherein a retainer boltdefining the second retainer is configured to selectively engage theretainer clip formed on the retainer end of the strap body of the strapassembly with the second leg of the clamp body.

22. The apparatus of any of embodiments 1-21 wherein the retainer clipcomprises a frame that is at least partially retained on the retainerend of the strap body of the strap assembly as by looping the strap bodyover the frame and securing as through stitching.

23. The apparatus of any of embodiments 1-22 wherein the extensionhandle comprises a handle shaft having an integral handle mount at adistal end thereof configured for removable engagement with the receiverthreaded hole as by a handle mount screw.

24. The apparatus of embodiment 23 wherein: the handle receiver furthercomprises offset receiver legs, each receiver leg having a receiverthreaded hole; and the handle mount is formed having offset handle mountlegs substantially corresponding to the offset receiver legs, the offsethandle mount legs defining a handle mount opening therebetween.

25. The apparatus of any of embodiments 1-24 wherein the first andsecond legs of the clamp body are diverging.

26. The apparatus of any of embodiments 1-24 wherein the first andsecond legs of the clamp body are substantially parallel.

27. The apparatus of any of embodiments 1-26 wherein the clamp body isaluminum.

28. The apparatus of any of embodiments 1-27 wherein the strap body isnylon.

29. The apparatus of any of embodiments 1-28 wherein the pivot buckle ismild steel.

30. The apparatus of any of embodiments 1-29 wherein the extensionhandle is threaded.

31. The apparatus of any of embodiments 1-30 wherein the extensionhandle is telescoping.

32. The apparatus of any of embodiments 1-31 wherein the extensionhandle is curved.

33. The apparatus of any of embodiments 1-32 wherein the extensionhandle is angled.

34. The apparatus of any of embodiments 1-33 wherein the handle receiveris integral with the power tool.

35. The apparatus of embodiment 34 wherein the handle receiver ismounted on the neck of the power tool.

36. A method of employing a power tool extension handle apparatus asdefined in any one of embodiments 1-35, the method comprising the stepsof: positioning the clamp body such that the curved clamp inner surfacepartially encompasses the neck of the power tool; and securing the strapassembly on the clamp assembly so as to fully encompass the neck,comprising the further steps of: adjusting the pivot end of the strapbody within the pivot buckle; engaging the retainer clip at the retainerend of the strap body with the second retainer formed on the second legof the clamp body; and pivoting the pivot buckle about the first pivotso as to engage the pivot buckle with the first retainer formed on thefirst leg of the clamp body so as to temporarily secure the apparatusabout the power tool.

37. The method of embodiment 36 wherein the step of adjusting the pivotend of the strap body within the pivot buckle comprises the further stepof selectively passing the strap body around the buckle slats andthrough the buckle slots so as secure the pivot end of the strap bodywithin the pivot buckle a desired distance from the retainer end of thestrap body.

38. The method of embodiment 36 or embodiment 37 wherein the step ofengaging the retainer clip at the retainer end of the strap body withthe second retainer formed on the second leg of the clamp body comprisesthe further step of engaging the distal retainer member of the frame ofthe retainer clamp with the retainer flange formed on the second leg ofthe clamp body.

39. The method of any of embodiments 36-38 wherein the step of engagingthe retainer clip at the retainer end of the strap body with the secondretainer formed on the second leg of the clamp body comprises thefurther step of engaging the retainer bolt with the retainer clip andwith the second leg of the clamp body.

40. The method of any of embodiments 36-39 wherein the step of pivotingthe pivot buckle about the first pivot so as to engage the pivot bucklewith the first retainer further comprises passing the pivot bolt throughthe respective first and second buckle wall pivot holes and theintermediate clamp pivot hole formed in the first leg of the clamp bodyand pivoting the pivot buckle about the pivot bolt.

41. The method of any of embodiments 36-39 wherein the step of pivotingthe pivot buckle about the first pivot so as to engage the pivot bucklewith the first retainer further comprises passing the pivot pin throughat least the first buckle wall pivot hole and into the clamp pivot holeformed in the first leg of the clamp body and pivoting the pivot buckleabout the pivot pin.

42. The method of any of embodiments 36-41 wherein the step of pivotingthe pivot buckle about the first pivot so as to engage the pivot bucklewith the first retainer comprises engaging the spring-bearing formed onthe first leg of the clamp body offset from the first pivot with thefirst buckle wall retainer hole formed in the first buckle wall offsetfrom the first buckle wall pivot hole.

43. The method of any of embodiments 36-41 wherein the step of pivotingthe pivot buckle about the first pivot so as to engage the pivot bucklewith the first retainer comprises passing a retainer pin through thefirst buckle wall retainer hole formed in the first buckle wall offsetfrom the first buckle wall pivot hole and into the first leg of theclamp body offset from the first pivot.

44. The method of any of embodiments 36-43 further comprising the stepof temporarily engaging the extension handle with the handle receiverconfigured on the clamp body.

45. The method of embodiment 44 wherein the step of temporarily engagingthe extension handle with the handle receiver comprises screwing thehandle shaft into the receiver threaded hole.

46. The method of embodiment 44 wherein the step of temporarily engagingthe extension handle with the handle receiver comprises removablyengaging the handle mount formed integrally at the distal end of thehandle shaft with the receiver threaded hole as by at least one handlemount screw.

47. The method of embodiment 44 wherein the step of temporarily engagingthe extension handle with the handle receiver comprises removablyengaging the handle mount formed integrally at the distal end of thehandle shaft with the handle receiver as by a receiver pivot pin.

48. The method of embodiment 44 wherein the step of temporarily engagingthe extension handle with the handle receiver comprises removablyengaging the handle mount formed integrally at the distal end of thehandle shaft with the handle receiver as by snapping a receiver socketformed on the handle mount with a receiver ball formed on the clampbody.

49. The method of any of embodiments 44-48 further comprising the stepof pivoting the extension handle relative to the handle receiver.

50. The method of embodiment 49 wherein the step of pivoting theextension handle relative to the handle receiver comprises the furthersteps of: forming the handle mount pin offset from the arcuate handlemount slot formed in the handle receiver; pivotally connecting thedistal end of the handle shaft of the extension handle with the handlemount pin; and inserting a handle mount bolt through the handle mountslot and into the handle shaft offset from the handle mount pin.

51. The method of any of embodiments 44-50 further comprising the stepof pivoting the extension handle and the handle receiver relative to theclamp body.

52. The method of embodiment 51 wherein the step of pivoting theextension handle and the handle receiver relative to the clamp bodycomprises the further steps of: pivotally engaging the receiver pivotwith the clamp body intermediate the first and second legs; and engagingthe receiver pivot pin both with a select pivot hole of the handlereceiver from among the array of pivot holes formed offset from thereceiver pivot and with the clamp body so as to selectively andtemporarily fix the handle receiver relative to the clamp body.

53. The method of embodiment 51 wherein the step of pivoting theextension handle and the handle receiver relative to the clamp bodycomprises the further step of pivoting the handle mount legs relative tothe respective receiver legs about respective receiver pivot pins.

54. The method of embodiment 51 wherein the step of pivoting theextension handle and the handle receiver relative to the clamp bodycomprises the further step of pivoting the receiver socket formed on thehandle mount relative to the receiver ball formed on the clamp body.

55. The method of any of embodiments 36-53 further comprising the stepof grasping the extension handle so as to extend the reach of andmanipulate the power tool.

56. A kit comprising a power tool extension handle apparatus as definedin any one of embodiments 1-35.

57. The kit of embodiment 56 further comprising the extension handle.

58. The kit of embodiment 56 or embodiment 57 further comprisinginstructional material.

59. The kit of embodiment 58 wherein the instructional material providesinstructions on how to perform the method as defined in any one ofembodiments 36-55.

60. Use of a power tool extension handle apparatus as defined in any oneof embodiments 1-35 to extend the reach of a power tool.

61. The use of embodiment 60, wherein the use comprises a method asdefined in any one of embodiments 36-55.

62. A power tool extension handle apparatus for use on a power toolhaving a neck, the apparatus comprising: a clamp assembly comprising aclamp body having a first leg and an offset second leg, the clamp bodyfurther having a handle receiver with a handle mount pin offset from anarcuate handle mount slot formed in the handle receiver, the clamp bodyand the first and second legs together defining a curved clamp innersurface; a clamp bracket configured to removably engage the first andsecond legs of the clamp body as through at least one clamp bracketscrew; and an extension handle having a handle shaft configured at adistal end thereof to pivotally engage the handle receiver as by beingpivotally connected to the handle mount pin and having a handle mountbolt that engages the handle shaft offset from the handle mount pinthrough the handle mount slot; whereby the clamp assembly and the clampbracket may cooperatively engage the neck of the power tool as by theclamp body being positioned such that the curved clamp inner surfacepartially encompasses the neck of the power tool and then securing theclamp bracket on the clamp assembly so as to fully encompass the neckand thereby temporarily secure the apparatus about the power tool,enabling increased reach with the power tool through engagement of theextension handle with the handle receiver formed in the clamp body; andfurther whereby the angle of the extension handle relative to the handlereceiver and thus the clamp assembly may be adjusted by selectivelyloosening the handle mount bolt, pivoting the handle about the handlemount pin as the handle mount bolt slides within the handle mount slot,and retightening the handle mount bolt to secure the extension handleshaft relative to the clamp assembly in the desired position.

63. A power tool extension handle apparatus for use on a power toolhaving a neck, the apparatus comprising: a clamp assembly comprising aclamp body having a first leg and an offset second leg, the clamp bodyfurther having a receiver ball, the clamp body and the first and secondlegs together defining a curved clamp inner surface; a strap assemblycomprising a strap body having a pivot end and an opposite retainer endconfigured to together span the clamp body substantially between thefirst and second legs thereof; a handle receiver formed with a receiversocket configured for substantially universal pivotal engagement withthe receiver ball of the clamp body; and an extension handle having ahandle shaft configured at a distal end thereof for engagement with thehandle receiver; whereby the clamp assembly and the strap assembly maycooperatively engage the neck of the power tool as by the clamp bodybeing positioned such that the curved clamp inner surface partiallyencompasses the neck of the power tool and then securing the strapassembly on the clamp assembly so as to fully encompass the neck as bysecuring the pivot end of the strap body to the first leg of the clampbody and the retainer end of the strap body to the second leg of theclamp body so as to temporarily secure the apparatus about the powertool, enabling increased reach with the power tool through engagement ofthe extension handle with the handle receiver formed on the clamp body;and further whereby the angle of the extension handle and the handlereceiver relative to the clamp assembly may be adjusted by selectivelypivoting the receiver socket relative to the receiver ball to positionthe extension handle shaft relative to the clamp assembly in the desiredorientation.

64. A power tool extension handle apparatus for temporarily securing anextension handle on a power tool having a neck, the apparatus comprisinga handle receiver with a receiver threaded hole formed therein, thehandle receiver being incorporated into the power tool for selectivereceipt of the extension handle, thereby enabling increased reach withthe power tool through engagement of the extension handle with thehandle receiver formed on the power tool.

65. The apparatus of embodiment 64 wherein the handle receiver ismounted directly on the power tool.

66. The apparatus of embodiment 64 or embodiment 65 wherein the handlereceiver is installed on the neck of the power tool.

67. The apparatus of any of embodiments 64-66 wherein the handlereceiver is mounted pivotally on the power tool.

68. The apparatus of any of embodiments 64-67 wherein the handlereceiver is mounted rotationally on the power tool.

69. The apparatus of any of embodiments 64-68 wherein the handlereceiver is mounted on a body, the body being mounted on the power tool.

70. The apparatus of embodiment 69 wherein the body is formed havingopposite first and second legs extending away from the handle receiver.

71. The apparatus of embodiment 70 wherein the first and second legs aresubstantially arcuate and have a curved inner surface.

72. The apparatus of embodiment 71 wherein the neck of the power tool isformed having a recess defining a perimeter and a curved back wallformed within the recess, the back wall substantially conforming to thecurved inner surface of the first and second legs, whereby the first andsecond legs are at least partially retained within the recess adjacentto the curved back wall and travel of the body and handle receiver islimited by the perimeter of the recess.

73. The apparatus of any of embodiments 70-72 wherein movement of thebody is biased.

74. The apparatus of embodiment 73 wherein the body is frictionallybiased.

75. The apparatus of embodiment 73 wherein the body is spring biased.

76. The apparatus of embodiment 75 wherein first and second springs areconnected between the respective first and second legs and the recess soas to selectively bias the body and handle receiver within the recess.

77. The apparatus of embodiment 76 wherein the first and second springsengage respective first and second holes formed on the respective firstand second legs.

78. The apparatus of embodiment 70 wherein the first and second legs aremounted on the handle receiver proximally and distally are substantiallyoffset and parallel.

79. The apparatus of embodiment 78 wherein the first and second legsterminate distally in opposite, inwardly-projecting leg pins.

80. The apparatus of embodiment 79 wherein opposite leg mounts areformed on the neck of the power tool so as to extend outwardly thereof,each leg mount having formed therein an outwardly-opening leg mount holeconfigured for selective pivotal receipt of the respective leg pinformed on the first and second legs so as to pivotally mount the bodyand handle receiver on the power tool.

81. The apparatus of embodiment 80 wherein a leg mount plate having asomewhat curved pattern of leg mount plate holes is formed on at leastone leg mount and a locking pin is formed on at least a respective firstor second leg, whereby the locking pin may selectively engage a legmount plate hole to selectively lock the first and second legs and thusthe body and handle receiver in a particular position relative to thepower tool.

82. The apparatus of embodiment 80 or embodiment 81 wherein the legmounts are installed on a collar-type secondary body rotatably mountedon the neck of the power tool.

83. The apparatus of embodiment 82 wherein the secondary body isremovably engaged on the power tool.

84. The apparatus of embodiment 82 or embodiment 83 wherein thesecondary body is selectively lockable rotationally relative to thepower tool.

85. The apparatus of embodiment 84 wherein the secondary body is formedhaving a secondary locking pin configured to selectively engage pinholes formed in the neck of the power tool.

86. The apparatus of any of embodiments 70-85 wherein the first andsecond legs are substantially resilient.

87. The apparatus of embodiment 69 wherein the body is substantiallyannular so as to be selectively rotatably installed on the neck of thepower tool.

88. The apparatus of embodiment 87 wherein the handle receiver isrigidly mounted on the body.

89. The apparatus of embodiment 87 wherein the handle receiver ispivotally mounted on the body.

90. The apparatus of any of embodiments 87-89 wherein rotation of thebody about the neck of the power tool is lockable.

91. The apparatus of any of embodiments 87-90 wherein rotation of thebody about the neck of the power tool is biased.

92. The apparatus of embodiment 91 wherein the body is frictionallybiased.

93. The apparatus of embodiment 91 wherein the body is spring biased.

94. The apparatus of any of embodiments 87-93 wherein the neck of thepower tool is formed having an outwardly-opening circumferential channeland the body is configured to be rotatably installed in the channel.

95. The apparatus of any of embodiments 87-94 wherein a locking pinformed on the body is configured to engage spaced-apart pin holes formedabout the neck of the power tool, whereby the locking pin mayselectively engage a pin hole to selectively lock the body and handlereceiver in a particular position relative to the power tool.

96. The apparatus of any of embodiments 87-95 wherein the body ishinged, whereby the body may be selectively removed from the power tool.

97. The apparatus of embodiment 96 wherein the body is formed having acoupling opposite a hinge for selective closure of the body.

98. The apparatus of any of embodiments 64-68 wherein the handlereceiver comprises a receiver socket configured to selectively andpivotally engage a receiver ball formed on the power tool.

99. The apparatus of embodiment 98 wherein the receiver ball is mountedon the power tool.

100. The apparatus of embodiment 98 wherein the receiver ball is mountedon a body, the body being mounted on the power tool.

101. The apparatus of any of embodiments 64-66 wherein the handlereceiver is mounted rigidly on the power tool.

102. The apparatus of any of embodiments 64-101 wherein the handlereceiver is at an angle of fifteen to forty-five degrees relative to thepower tool or body.

103. The apparatus of any of embodiments 64-102 wherein the extensionhandle is threaded.

104. The apparatus of any of embodiments 64-103 wherein the extensionhandle is telescoping.

105. The apparatus of any of embodiments 64-104 wherein the extensionhandle is curved.

106. The apparatus of any of embodiments 64-105 wherein the extensionhandle is angled.

107. A method of employing a power tool extension handle apparatus asdefined in any one of embodiments 64-106, the method comprising the stepof selectively threading the extension handle into the handle receiverso as to increase the reach of the power tool during use.

108. The method of embodiment 107 comprising the further step ofshifting the body and the handle receiver laterally relative to thepower tool.

109. The method of embodiment 108 comprising the further step ofshifting the body and the handle receiver vertically relative to thepower tool.

110. The method of embodiment 108 or embodiment 109 wherein the steps ofshifting the body and the handle receiver are performed against abiasing force provided between the body or the handle receiver and thepower tool.

111. The method of any of embodiments 108-110 wherein the steps ofshifting the body and the handle receiver further comprise selectivelyand temporarily locking the body or the handle receiver relative to thepower tool.

112. The method of embodiment 111 wherein the step of locking the bodyor the handle receiver comprises engaging a locking pin formed on thebody or the handle receiver with a pin hole formed on the power tool.

113. The method of any of embodiments 107-112 further comprisingselectively removing the body and the handle receiver from the powertool.

114. The method of embodiment 113 wherein the step of removing the bodyand the handle receiver comprises hinging the body open so as toselectively remove the body from about the neck of the power tool.

115. The method of embodiment 114 wherein the step of hinging the bodyopen comprises disengaging a coupling of the body.

116. The method of embodiment 113 wherein the step of removing the bodyand the handle receiver comprises disengaging leg pins formed on thebody from leg mount holes formed on the power tool.

117. The method of any of embodiments 107-116 further comprisingselectively installing the body and the handle receiver on the powertool.

118. The method of embodiment 117 wherein the step of installing thebody and the handle receiver comprises positioning the body about theneck of the power tool and hinging the body closed so as to selectivelyinstall the body about the neck of the power tool as by removablyjoining a coupling.

119. The method of embodiment 117 wherein the step of installing thebody and the handle receiver comprises engaging leg pins formed on thebody within leg mount holes formed on the power tool.

120. The method of embodiment 117 wherein the step of installing thebody and the handle receiver comprises snapping a receiver socket of thehandle receiver onto a receiver ball installed on the power tool.

121. A kit comprising a power tool extension handle apparatus as definedin any one of embodiments 64-106.

122. The kit of embodiment 121 further comprising the extension handle.

123. The kit of embodiment 121 or embodiment 122 further comprising thepower tool.

124. The kit of any of embodiments 121-123 further comprisinginstructional material.

125. The kit of embodiment 124 wherein the instructional materialprovides instructions on how to perform the method as defined in any oneof embodiments 107-120.

126. Use of a power tool extension handle apparatus as defined in anyone of embodiments 64-106 to extend the reach of a power tool.

127. The use of embodiment 126, wherein the use comprises a method asdefined in any one of embodiments 107-120.

128. A power tool comprising an extension handle apparatus fortemporarily securing an extension handle on the power tool, theapparatus comprising a handle receiver with a receiver threaded holeformed therein, the handle receiver being incorporated into the powertool for selective receipt of the extension handle, thereby enablingincreased reach with the power tool through engagement of the extensionhandle with the handle receiver formed on the power tool.

In closing, regarding the exemplary embodiments of the present inventionas shown and described herein, it will be appreciated that a power toolextension handle apparatus is disclosed and configured for selectivelyengaging a variety of power tools with an extension handle so as toextend their reach. Because the principles of the invention may bepracticed in a number of configurations beyond those shown anddescribed, it is to be understood that the invention is not in any waylimited by the exemplary embodiments, but is able to take numerous formswithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It willalso be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the presentinvention is not limited to the particular geometries and materials ofconstruction disclosed, but may instead entail other functionallycomparable structures or materials, now known or later developed,without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Certain embodiments of the present invention are described herein,including the best mode known to the inventor(s) for carrying out theinvention. Of course, variations on these described embodiments willbecome apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading theforegoing description. The inventor(s) expect skilled artisans to employsuch variations as appropriate, and the inventor(s) intend for thepresent invention to be practiced otherwise than specifically describedherein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications andequivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended heretoas permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of theabove-described embodiments in all possible variations thereof isencompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein orotherwise clearly contradicted by context.

Groupings of alternative embodiments, elements, or steps of the presentinvention are not to be construed as limitations. Each group member maybe referred to and claimed individually or in any combination with othergroup members disclosed herein. It is anticipated that one or moremembers of a group may be included in, or deleted from, a group forreasons of convenience and/or patentability. When any such inclusion ordeletion occurs, the specification is deemed to contain the group asmodified thus fulfilling the written description of all Markush groupsused in the appended claims.

In some embodiments, the numbers expressing quantities of ingredients,properties such as concentration, reaction conditions, and so forth,used to describe and claim certain embodiments of the inventive subjectmatter are to be understood as being modified in some instances by theterm “about.” Accordingly, in some embodiments, the numerical parametersset forth in the written description and attached claims areapproximations that can vary depending upon the desired propertiessought to be obtained by a particular embodiment. In some embodiments,the numerical parameters should be construed in light of the number ofreported significant digits and by applying ordinary roundingtechniques. Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameterssetting forth the broad scope of some embodiments of the inventivesubject matter are approximations, the numerical values set forth in thespecific examples are reported as precisely as practicable. Thenumerical values presented in some embodiments of the inventive subjectmatter may contain certain errors necessarily resulting from thestandard deviation found in their respective testing measurements.

Unless the context dictates the contrary, all ranges set forth hereinshould be interpreted as being inclusive of their endpoints andopen-ended ranges should be interpreted to include only commerciallypractical values. The recitation of numerical ranges of values herein ismerely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individuallyto each separate value falling within the range. Unless otherwiseindicated herein, each individual value of a numerical range isincorporated into the specification as if it were individually recitedherein. Similarly, all lists of values should be considered as inclusiveof intermediate values unless the context indicates the contrary.

Use of the terms “may” or “can” in reference to an embodiment or aspectof an embodiment also carries with it the alternative meaning of “maynot” or “cannot.” As such, if the present specification discloses thatan embodiment or an aspect of an embodiment may be or can be included aspart of the inventive subject matter, then the negative limitation orexclusionary proviso is also explicitly meant, meaning that anembodiment or an aspect of an embodiment may not be or cannot beincluded as part of the inventive subject matter. In a similar manner,use of the term “optionally” in reference to an embodiment or aspect ofan embodiment means that such embodiment or aspect of the embodiment maybe included as part of the inventive subject matter or may not beincluded as part of the inventive subject matter. Whether such anegative limitation or exclusionary proviso applies will be based onwhether the negative limitation or exclusionary proviso is recited inthe claimed subject matter.

The terms “a,” “an,” “the” and similar references used in the context ofdescribing the present invention (especially in the context of thefollowing claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and theplural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted bycontext. Further, ordinal indicators—such as “first,” “second,” “third,”etc.—for identified elements are used to distinguish between theelements, and do not indicate or imply a required or limited number ofsuch elements, and do not indicate a particular position or order ofsuch elements unless otherwise specifically stated.

All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable orderunless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted bycontext. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g.,“such as”) provided with respect to certain embodiments herein isintended merely to better illuminate the inventive subject matter anddoes not pose a limitation on the scope of the inventive subject matterotherwise claimed. No language in the application should be construed asindicating any non-claimed element essential to the practice of theinvention.

It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that many moremodifications besides those already described are possible withoutdeparting from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subjectmatter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of theappended claims. Moreover, in interpreting both the specification andthe claims, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possiblemanner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms “comprises”and “comprising” should be interpreted as referring to elements,components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that thereferenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized,or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are notexpressly referenced. Where the specification claims refers to at leastone of something selected from the group consisting of A, B, C . . . andN, the text should be interpreted as requiring only one element from thegroup, not A plus N, or B plus N, etc.

While aspects of the invention have been described with reference to atleast one exemplary embodiment, it is to be clearly understood by thoseskilled in the art that the invention is not limited thereto. Rather,the scope of the invention is to be interpreted only in conjunction withthe appended claims and it is made clear, here, that the inventor(s)believe that the claimed subject matter is the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A power tool extension handle apparatus fortemporarily securing an extension handle on a power tool having a neck,the apparatus comprising a handle receiver with a receiver threaded holeformed therein, the handle receiver being incorporated into the powertool for selective receipt of the extension handle, thereby enablingincreased reach with the power tool through engagement of the extensionhandle with the handle receiver formed on the power tool.
 2. Theapparatus of claim 1 wherein the handle receiver is mounted directly onthe power tool.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the handle receiveris mounted pivotally on the power tool.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1wherein the handle receiver is mounted rotationally on the power tool.5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the handle receiver is mounted on abody, the body being mounted on the power tool.
 6. The apparatus ofclaim 5 wherein the body is formed having opposite first and second legsextending away from the handle receiver.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6wherein the neck of the power tool is formed having a recess defining aperimeter and a curved back wall formed within the recess, the back wallsubstantially conforming to a curved inner surface of the first andsecond legs, whereby the first and second legs are at least partiallyretained within the recess adjacent to the curved back wall and travelof the body and handle receiver is limited by the perimeter of therecess.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein first and second springs areconnected between the respective first and second legs and the recess soas to selectively bias the body and handle receiver within the recess.9. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein: the first and second legs aremounted on the handle receiver proximally and distally are substantiallyoffset and parallel, the first and second legs terminating distally inopposite, inwardly-projecting leg pins; and opposite leg mounts areformed on the neck of the power tool so as to extend outwardly thereof,each leg mount having formed therein an outwardly-opening leg mount holeconfigured for selective pivotal receipt of the respective leg pinformed on the first and second legs so as to pivotally mount the bodyand handle receiver on the power tool.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9wherein: a leg mount plate having a somewhat curved pattern of leg mountplate holes is formed on at least one leg mount; and a locking pin isformed on at least a respective first or second leg, whereby the lockingpin may selectively engage a leg mount plate hole to selectively lockthe first and second legs and thus the body and handle receiver in aparticular position relative to the power tool.
 11. The apparatus ofclaim 10 wherein the leg mounts are installed on a collar-type secondarybody rotatably mounted on the neck of the power tool.
 12. The apparatusof claim 5 wherein the body is substantially annular so as to beselectively rotatably installed on the neck of the power tool.
 13. Theapparatus of claim 12 wherein the handle receiver is pivotally mountedon the body.
 14. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the neck of the powertool is formed having an outwardly-opening circumferential channel andthe body is configured to be rotatably installed in the channel.
 15. Theapparatus of claim 14 wherein a locking pin formed on the body isconfigured to engage spaced-apart pin holes formed about the neck of thepower tool, whereby the locking pin may selectively engage a pin hole toselectively lock the body and handle receiver in a particular positionrelative to the power tool.
 16. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein thebody is hinged, whereby the body may be selectively removed from thepower tool.
 17. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the handle receivercomprises a receiver socket configured to selectively and pivotallyengage a receiver ball formed on the power tool.
 18. The apparatus ofclaim 17 wherein the receiver ball is mounted on a body, the body beingrotatably mounted on the power tool.
 19. A power tool extension handleapparatus for temporarily securing an extension handle on a power toolhaving a neck, the apparatus comprising: a substantially annular bodyselectively rotatably installed on the neck of the power tool; and ahandle receiver with a receiver threaded hole formed therein pivotablymounted on the body, the handle receiver being configured for selectivereceipt of the extension handle, thereby enabling increased reach withthe power tool through engagement of the extension handle with thehandle receiver.
 20. A power tool extension handle apparatus fortemporarily securing an extension handle on a power tool having a neck,the apparatus comprising: a body having opposite first and second legs;a handle receiver with a receiver threaded hole formed therein mountedon the body; and a recess formed in the neck of the power tool anddefining a perimeter and having a curved back wall formed within therecess, the back wall substantially conforming to a curved inner surfaceof the first and second legs, whereby the first and second legs are atleast partially retained within the recess adjacent to the curved backwall and travel of the body and handle receiver is limited by theperimeter of the recess.